On the recordMarch 2, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 129 and the underlying legislation, H.R. 4. Last year's health care law was rammed through without the opportunity for the American public to let their voices be heard. At the time, then-Speaker Pelosi said Congress had to pass the bill to know what is in it. Now we know. Even Democrats are realizing how many problems there are in this bill. One such example is the 1099 reporting requirement. This requirement forces businesses to report nearly all expenses exceeding $600 to the IRS. This results in a new, onerous burden on small businesses. The requirement means 10 to 20 times more paperwork for small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates the 1099 tax compliance will cost small businesses $800 per employee annually. Small businesses are the economic backbone, and the 1099 requirement is breaking their back. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will tell you H.R. 4 is a Republican tax increase on middle America. That couldn't be further from the truth. The offset we are using here today prevents individuals from receiving health care subsidies that they aren't entitled to. We are preventing people from defrauding the Federal Government. We aren't taking money away from people; we are protecting taxpayer dollars by ensuring they're being used the way they're meant to be used.
