Friday, October 24, 1997

"I'm pleased to introduce the Social Security Beneficiaries Tax Reduction Act," said Paul after introducing the legislation. "The tax hike levied on America's senior citizens was nothing less than immoral. During these months in office I have waited and waited for someone to introduce this type of legislation, but when I saw no one else was willing, I knew I had to be the one to act."

Paul said he made two promises when taking office in January: to uphold the Constitution, and to cut taxes.

"Cutting taxes should be the top priority of every Member of Congress. The level of taxation endured by our citizens is oppressive. And while I firmly believe massive, across-the-board tax cuts are not only morally correct and constitutionally proper, they are also economically sound. Unfortunately, very few politicians in Washington have the nerve to cut taxes because they want to maintain the status quo; they just do not have the political nerve to do what all Americans want - reduce the tax burden. But this legislation is something every Member of Congress should immediately support, because it affects our national treasure, our senior citizens."

Paul called on the House leadership to rush the legislation through the committee process so as to expedite the repeal of the tax increase. The House is expected to remain in session for this year through the middle of November.

"It's been four years since our nation's senior citizens were ambushed by the president's tax increase, and we must not delay another minute in repealing this tax. It is unconscionable that the Clinton tax increase on senior citizens has been allowed to last this long."

Paul reminded his Republican colleagues that repealing the tax increase was a major plank of the 1994 "Contract with America."

"Eliminating the 1993 Clinton tax increase on Social Security benefits must be an imperative for this Congress, this month. Let us in Congress resolve to allow our nation's seniors to have something for which they can truly be thankful on Thanksgiving Day 1997; let's cut the taxes on the Social Security benefits."