Glenn English: “Mr. Speaker, it is a fundamental principle that Social Security benefits should be tax free and today, with this…”

“Mr. Speaker, it is a fundamental principle that Social Security benefits should be tax free and today, with this legislation, we make essential progress toward restoring that principle. Seniors should not have to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden for the fiscal problems that have existed here in America. Yet under current law, a retired senior with an annual income of $39,600 that includes their savings, a part-time job, and their Social Security benefits, loses $580 that year because of this tax. It is just not fair. With a non-Social Security surplus that is expected to top $2.17 trillion in hard numbers, our seniors should not have to continue to pay a tax that was established in 1993 when we were operating with record deficits. As a Republican, since the other side has made this such a partisan debate, I should point out that I am pleased to vote to roll back the Social Security tax that was imposed with Democratic votes only. Mr. Speaker, this legislation rolls back the tax on Social Security benefits from 85 percent to 50 percent.”