Jim Ramstad: “What a long way we have come in dealing straight with the American people. Less than 17 months ago, this body cast aside…”

“What a long way we have come in dealing straight with the American people. Less than 17 months ago, this body cast aside basic fairness and imposed unprecedented retroactive tax increases. American taxpayers were aghast to learn that the tax increases were made effective to a date before President Clinton had even assumed office! Today, we are restoring credibility with the American people. If this proposed rule is adopted, it will be against the rules of the House to consider any legislation that contains a retroactive tax increase. In the last Congress, I authored House Resolution 2147 to incorporate this 'taxpayer-protection' provision in our House rules. All told, 165 of our colleagues either cosponsored that resolution or signed Discharge Petition No. 11. Today, thanks in no small part to Chairman Solomon, we are finally getting our chance to adopt this rule change. It is not only appropriate--but absolutely necessary in light of the Court's ruling--that the House take this action to stop retroactive taxes. I urge all of my colleagues, in a bipartisan way to vote for this important reform. The American taxpayers deserve nothing less.”