Political Quotes

“I first want to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Barton] for having the leadership to bring this legislation to the House floor today and for his steadfast efforts of making sure that the House has an opportunity to move forward with this positive legislation. The tax limitation amendment is modeled after State constitutions which require a supermajority, Mr. Speaker, a vote of their legislatures in order to pass increases, a House amendment that would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate to raise taxes. This is a bipartisan measure which has wide support in both Chambers. Mr. Speaker, I would point out that four of the last five major tax increases were passed by less than a two-thirds majority. Those bills raised taxes on Americans by $666 billion. From 1980 to 1987, taxpayers in States with tax limitations in their State law enjoyed a 2-percent decrease in personal income paid in taxes. Consider these facts also, Mr. Speaker: Families paid just 5 percent of income in Federal taxes in 1950, and yet today the average Federal taxpaying family pays 24 percent of its annual income in taxes. What could they do with that extra money for education? What could they do with that extra money to take care of their mortgage? What could they do with that extra money in their pockets to take care of health care needs?”