Sheila Jackson Lee: “I rise to oppose H.J. Res. 96, Tax Limitation Constitutional Amendment. There are three key points that are relevant to…”

“I rise to oppose H.J. Res. 96, Tax Limitation Constitutional Amendment. There are three key points that are relevant to this constitutional amendment. This Constitutional Amendment states that any bill changing the internal revenue laws will require approval by two-thirds of the Members of both the House and Senate. A constitutional amendment must pass both houses of Congress by a 2/3 vote before it is passed onto the states for ratification. Adoption of the 16th amendment in 1913 first allowed direct taxation of the American people by the federal government. The underlying legislation of H.J. Res. 96, is an attempt to help the most well to do Americans through a constitutional amendment that limits the ability of Congress to raise taxes and cut deficits. It is no secret that this legislation is designed to disproportionately help the richest people in this country. H.J. Res. 96 could make it difficult to maintain a balanced budget or to develop a responsible plan to restore Medicare or Social Security to long-term solvency.”