Mike Conaway: “I believe this is a ruse to hide behind a tax increase. I know my colleagues on the other side will argue it is not a…”

“I believe this is a ruse to hide behind a tax increase. I know my colleagues on the other side will argue it is not a tax increase, but I can assure you that American families in 2010 whose financial circumstances are similar in 2011, will pay more in taxes in 2011 than they pay in 2010. Call that what you may, but I believe it is a tax increase. It is a ruse, Mr. Speaker, because it is built on a foundation of brittle clay. One of the pillars of the foundation is that spending will be restrained. This Democratic majority can spend their way to a point where these tax cuts won't be triggered. They have already shown a great penchant for spending, a wanton disregard for fiscal restraint. There is $6 billion extra in the omnibus bill, $20 billion extra on the supplemental that is yet to pass, and another $23 billion of new spending in this bill. I believe this is a ruse to hide behind the fact that American families will pay more taxes in 2011 and 2012 than they do in 2010 because rates will go up. I urge my colleagues to vote against this budget.”