Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, our tax system hangs like an albatross around the neck of the American taxpayer, stifling savings and productive investment, and arbitrarily punishing or subsidizing activity and making the process of paying taxes nightmarishly complex even for those of modest means. In my view, the time has come to replace our current tax system. But we will never do it unless we overcome the inertia of the legislative process, unless we override the influence of the entrenched special interests who have a stake in the complexity of the Tax Code and who savor gridlock on this issue, and unless and until we force the issue and put everyone's feet to the fire. We propose to do that today. I rise in strong support of the Tax Code Termination Act, legislation that will finally give American taxpayers a solid time line for fundamental tax reform. Mr. Speaker, I have been a strong advocate of replacing our current Tax Code with a system that is fairer, radically simpler, eliminates the bias against savings, and will allow the U.S. to be more competitive internationally. I am prepared to accept the challenge of the gentleman from California to put forward my proposal this year. But replacing the Tax Code will be an enormous undertaking, and the time line for consideration should not be put off one more day.”