On the recordMarch 26, 2015
I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment. Some of Senator Stabenow's tax reform ideas might have merit, but they should be dealt with in the context of comprehensive tax reform rather than as a stand-alone proposal. Otherwise, we would have a whole bunch of these stand-alone proposals that would become part of the budget, instead of empowering committees of jurisdiction to handle them as regular legislation, which they still would have to do. The U.S. Tax Code is overly complicated. It is inefficient, and it is archaic. The current structure hurts economic growth, frustrates working Americans, and pushes American businesses overseas. Any discussion of international or corporate tax reform should take place in the context of comprehensive tax reform to simplify the whole system. The budget resolution assumes the tax-writing committees will adopt a tax reform proposal that reduces marginal rates but broadens the tax base to create a fair, efficient, competitive, pro-growth tax regime, and that the revenue is neutral. We look forward to working on that in the Committee on Finance. I oppose the amendment, and I ask for a ``no'' vote. I yield back. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment.
