Gerald Kleczka: “I think we have had what I would call a spirited debate today, but one has to wonder why this proposal comes up every…”

“I think we have had what I would call a spirited debate today, but one has to wonder why this proposal comes up every April. Congress comes in session in January. We stay around until October. Why do we not have a vote on this particular issue in July or February? For the last 5 years it has always come up in April. But when in April? Well, they try to schedule it April 15. Well, my gosh, why April 15? Well, that is the day that we have to file our taxes, the last day we have to file our taxes. Why did they do it this date this year? They got snookered. April 15 is on a Saturday, and they cannot keep Members of Congress here on a Saturday. So this is more for show, my friends, than for goal, as evidenced by the vote we are going to have very shortly, which will provide that this constitutional amendment will not pass, nor should it. Nor should it. If, in fact, a majority in Congress can send our young men and women to war; if a majority in Congress can cut benefits for education, Social Security, Medicare; if a majority can do all these things, then why not also deal with tax policy in the same manner? My colleagues on the other side know that is correct. And if this were a secret ballot, this thing would go down to the person, it would fail 435-0. But that is not the case. It is April 15. We have to make a statement about taxes. And tomorrow we have a better one for my colleagues. Tomorrow we are going to repeal the entire Tax Code.”