VINCENT SNOWBARGER: “I strongly support the main intent of this bill, namely to restrain entitlement growth and balance the Federal budget.…”

“I strongly support the main intent of this bill, namely to restrain entitlement growth and balance the Federal budget. That is why I voted for the budget resolution in May as well as for this bill when it was approved by the House earlier this month. Since that time, however, so much has been added in the form of increased spending and increased taxes that I cannot vote for passage of the conference committee report. As I have said many times, I did not come to Washington to raise taxes, whatever the source may be. I know that tobacco companies are an inviting target for those who are constantly seeking additional sources for governmental revenue. But the issue is not where the money comes from. I am no fan of the tobacco industry. In fact, I have voted in the Kansas Legislature for increases in the State tobacco tax and, since coming to Congress, I have voted against subsidies for the tobacco industry. Moreover, I have never accepted a dime of tobacco money in my seven campaigns for public office. The issue here is whether the Congress should raise taxes with one hand even while it reduces them with the other. To put it simply, the Federal Government already has too much money. It does not need more.”