Robert Packwood

Lloyd, you absolutely cannot count on my vote. I'm going to vote against it, but I will get you votes to pass it.

The income tax base, which has become riddled with exclusions, exemptions, deductions, and credits, should be as broad as possible.

I have been here for 30 years. Three times we have put the investment tax credit in in tax reform. Three times we have taken it out in tax reform. Now you tell me, when is it reform, and when does it work to help the economy?

Taxpayers and businesses spend over six billion hours a year complying with tax-filing requirements.

I regret the odious deal I had to make with the oilies, which was totally unjustified and given to them when no other business got it.

All of us in politics have seen natural leaders. Some of them are inside leaders, like Lyndon Johnson. Some are outside leaders, like Ronald Reagan.

Well, that is why this committee--at least in Bill's and my era, there was much more nonpartisanship in the Senate than there apparently is today.

Tax reform, if it's done correctly, should promote growth and significantly reduce economic distortions that are present under the current income tax system.

I have often thought to myself, what kind of a deal could be made between the Republicans and the Democrats that would result in some increased revenue?

Only President Reagan's personal intervention caused the bill to pass the House.

To me, it seems like to do anything really big and consequential in this town, you really need presidential leadership.

We knew in my era that Scoop Jackson and Sam Nunn on defense were good for 7 or 8 votes in a tight vote anytime.

Give me control of the procedures of democracy, and I will control the substance of democracy.

I have thought so for the last 30 years. We are often saying we have to compete overseas, and there are advantages they have.

Put simply, it is past time for Congress to stand up once again to fix our broken tax system.

There is no question that the public is aware of the inequality.

It irritated me that he appoints this commission, and, as soon as its report comes out, he just gives it the back of his hand.

The danger of any kind of a consumption tax is--and this is where Republicans are more afraid of it--it is so easy to raise.

We wanted to keep the same progressivity that we had in the existing law, but we were going to lower the rates tremendously.

I express my strong support for the amendment of the Senator from Maine. I think it is typical of his concern for many of our citizens who are less well off than we are. I think this is a much-needed remedy that will be welcomed even by…

Can we have name, rank, and Social Security number of those four who are not trusting?

Let me ask the Senator from North Carolina then, if there is no constitutional right, as the Senator from Missouri said, I assume the Senator's amendment could not stop any money, if there was no constitutional right.

And if the school district attempts to take away that right, should we sanction them by withholding funds?

When the school district attempts to require the student to say a prayer, that is unconstitutional.