Orrin Hatch: “today we are discussing a bill to raise taxes. That is what it is. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, S. 940…”

“today we are discussing a bill to raise taxes. That is what it is. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, S. 940 will raise taxes by $21 billion over 10 years. And what provoked this bill to raise taxes? This time it is high gas prices. I wish could say I am surprised, but since Democrats took control of this Chamber, and since President Obama was elected, this seems to be a recurring theme. No matter the question, the answer always seems to be: Raise taxes. There is rarely any consideration of how this impacts the economy, how it impacts businesses and families who have to shoulder this load. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle too often look at working men and women as an endless source of cash that Washington can rely on for more governmental programs. The Democratic Party's emblem is a donkey. Sometimes I think they would be better off transitioning to a one-trick pony. The Democratic bill we will be voting on later today is called the Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act. That is certainly one message-tested name. ``Big oil''--check. ``Tax loopholes''--check. Again, never underestimate the left's ability to underestimate the American people. They think that because American citizens are angry at high gas prices, they are going to run off the cliff and support a measure just because it mentions ``big oil'' and ``tax loopholes.'' I can tell you that the people of Utah are not going to support this bill, and the American people will not either.…”