Walter B. Jones: “The average American is now faced with a tax burden that is over 38 percent. I emphasize ``burden'' because that is…”

“The average American is now faced with a tax burden that is over 38 percent. I emphasize ``burden'' because that is exactly what it is. I am one who believes that Americans should be rewarded for their hard work. To the contrary of that belief, however, people in our Nation today face a system that is penalizing their efforts to earn and save money by slapping them in the face with more and more taxes. Last session, the Congress provided American families with the first tax relief they have seen in 16 long years. I hope that we will be able to continue that trend this year with further tax cuts and ultimately with a fairer and simpler tax system. Let us once again reward the American people for their hard work and savings by giving them the tax relief they so rightly deserve.”