Ron Kind: “I thank my friend from Michigan for yielding me this time. It is kind of amazing, Mr. Speaker, that today, although it…”

“I thank my friend from Michigan for yielding me this time. It is kind of amazing, Mr. Speaker, that today, although it won't be reflected in the final vote count of the legislation before us, there actually is a lot of common ground that exists in this Chamber. I couldn't agree more with my friend and colleague from Wisconsin, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, that our Nation is in desperate need of comprehensive tax reform. We have an a old, antiquated Tax Code that is not fair. It is too complicated. It is leading us in a less competitive position in the global economy, and it is long overdue for a thorough scrubbing and a review so that we can simplify it, lower the rates for businesses--large and small--and for our families back home, and lead us in a more competitive position. I am concerned that the approach that the majority is taking undermines that attempt. This legislation and the legislation that was before us yesterday and the legislation that will be coming up as soon as we get back from the President's Day recess is probably the surest signal that the majority in the Congress, just 6 weeks into this new session, is punting on comprehensive tax reform because this isn't the way to do it.…”