Kenny Hulshof

Mr. HULSHOF

Mr. HULSHOF. I appreciate the gentleman, especially for his very eloquent voice, and he is right, last week we were focused on our pocketbooks, unfortunately. And National Victims' Rights Week, while it was something we celebrated and recognized back in my home district in Missouri, in fact, while we were in session last week I was told that Fred Goldman, who of course has become a very vocal advocate for the rights of victims actually came to Missouri to champion and to remind us that the system, the criminal justice system, while it is not perfect, is the best system known in modern civilization. At the same time that we focus on the rights of the accused, certainly we do not want that system to victimize family a second time after having experienced a very tragic type of crime. So I appreciate the gentleman joining us tonight. He mentioned the State of Texas, and I see my friend from Texas has joined us, and I would be happy to yield to him, Mr. Brady.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's joining us and especially for his eloquence in speaking on behalf of crime victims. I know certainly he raises a number of good points, particularly about parole. I know that this body has, on occasion, encouraged States to enact tougher sentencing laws, truth in sentencing, so that when that collective voice of a jury pronounces a sentence on one they have found guilty, that that sentence, a large percentage of that sentence, will actually be served. I learned this week, in fact, that a man that I helped convict of a crime of murder in Missouri 4 short years ago was up for his first parole hearing this week. I wish that this was an exception to the rule, but, unfortunately, this is all too common. What has been the gentleman's experience in Texas?

Mr. HULSHOF. I thank the gentleman for his words. He is exactly right. There is no easy solution to this very difficult problem. But I think we can make some strides and provide some meaningful changes. We have begun that, even in the last Congress, giving credit to the 104th Congress that did provide that victims receive some restitution from those that took something from them, whether it was monetarily or in other ways that sometimes money could not replace but at least providing that right of restitution. But building on that, even as we did earlier in this Congress with providing the right of allocution of victims to attend these hearings, these parole hearings and sentencing hearings and the right to be heard at trial, but there is much more to be done. I know as the gentleman mentioned, House Joint Resolution 71 that we will be debating in the weeks and months ahead, that we need to continue to focus on the rights of the innocent. We continue to focus, Mr. Speaker, all too often, and rightly so in some instances, the right of those that are accused and certainly those due process rights are there and they should be there but at the same time we believe and I think we have heard tonight very forcefully spoken by other Republican freshmen Members that the rights of the victims should also be heard as well in courtrooms across this land. Mr. Speaker, I see that our time is drawing to a close. As a simple comment to sort of bring closure to this discussion, the Founding Fathers recognized that each of us has been given a God-given right, the right to life and to liberty and to the pursuit of happiness. Violent acts that are committed by unrepentant criminals directly violate these God-given inalienable rights. I think it is good of us to take a moment as we did in this last week to focus on the innocent victims of crime and I think we need to continue to speak out not just tonight in a special order but we need to speak out all across this country and not just those of us in this body or not just those back in State legislatures or State senate chambers, or not only in the Governor's mansions around this country but I think it is incumbent on each of us to do our part, whether it is part of a neighborhood watch program or whether it is marching for the victims of crime, for their rights, or in any of these volunteer organizations that we talked about tonight, whatever we can do to help promote and restore the fabric of our society and our community. It is a problem that there is no easy answer to but one that I think we need to continually focus on. Again I thank the Speaker for allowing us, the 32 Members on the GOP side of this body, to bring to light this problem and some solutions that have worked.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman mentioned these young groups, and I would ask the gentleman, what age groups is he talking about that the coalition is reaching out to?

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the gentleman for his efforts. Hopefully his constituents know how hard he is working up here and that he is providing some great examples and success stories in central New Jersey. I see the gentleman from Colorado has joined us in the Chamber, and I yield to the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Bob Schaffer].

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, once again the 32 newly-elected Republican Members of this body have sought a special order of this House to focus on issues that affect the lives of Americans all across this great land. We have, as Members know, in the past explored positive solutions to problems that affect American communities. We have addressed the issues and concerns of working men and women as they struggle to juggle family commitments along with their careers. We have spoken, I think last week it was, about enacting real tax relief. Mr. Speaker, tonight we want to train the spotlight of this House and focus on an issue of concern to every man and every woman and every child in this great land. What I am speaking about is the most basic civil right that each of us possesses: the right to be free from fear, the right to be able to drive to a convenience store in safety, the right to take a leisurely stroll through our neighborhoods, holding hands with our spouses, without concern; the right to let our kids play outside in the front yard without having to constantly keep watch over them. Mr. Speaker, before joining this body after the November election, I worked for a little over 10 years as a criminal prosecutor in the State of Missouri. Along with many hardworking law enforcement officials from our great State, I had the opportunity to work on the front lines, dealing with crime and crime victims. I have cried with family members as they have had to deal with the horrific tragedy visited upon them by some violent criminal. We have held hands as we have waited for the verdict of 12 impartial people. I have relived with those victims of violent crime some pretty horrific tragedies, like the young father who was murdered in front of his two young children. In one of the most selfless acts that I can think of, he was begging not for his life, not for his own safety, but for the lives of his two kids. Yet his pleas fell on the deaf ears of the murderer, who was ultimately convicted. Or there were the two juveniles who were on a crime spree, and chose to murder the two security guards that came down to investigate this routine theft. The stories and tragedies across this country are too many to mention. I do not need to mention, Mr. Speaker, how strongly I feel for the victims of violent crime. Of course, last week we had the opportunity to visit back in our districts and promote National Victims' Rights Week. Fortunately, I think in the last Congress, in earlier Congresses, we have done some things to begin making some inroads, to make sure that victims are equal partners in the criminal justice system along with those who are accused of these heinous crimes. For instance, in the last Congress, restitution for victims was required in Federal courts. In fact, earlier in this Congress we passed a law to help protect crime victims' rights to attend the trial of their assailants and to provide victim impact testimony, which passed this House by a large, overwhelming number. In fact, I am told that the President has signed that measure into law, and it is now the current law of this land. We have much work to do, however. What we hope to do, Mr. Speaker, is focus a few minutes this evening on this issue. Particularly, I know that there are members of the Republican freshman class who have been champions in the area of victims' rights. I know there are others of us who wish to speak tonight about a specific problem dealing with drugs in our communities, as well as violent juvenile offenders. In fact, I see that my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey, joins me here in the well of the House. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pappas].

Mr. HULSHOF. It seems that especially the earlier that the education process can begin, once that foundation begins, you can really begin to build that foundation. I know recently just going back, I have had a chance to visit with the local elementary school in Missouri, the Luray Elementary School, very small, K through 8, with about 45 students, and yet they are very aware. In fact, when you walk into the school, the doormat there says ``Don't do drugs.'' This constant educational process that helps young people realize that with every choice there comes a responsibility, it sounds like this is also working in your home district.

Mr. HULSHOF

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HULSHOF

Mr. HULSHOF. If the gentleman would allow me to reclaim my time on that, during the Easter recess, when we had the opportunity to go back to our districts, the gentleman from the Second Congressional District of Missouri [Mr. Talent], who is the chairman of the Committee on Small Business, held a field hearing and invited me to attend and to participate. I found it extremely interesting. One of the things he talked about and that we had testimony about was just what the gentleman just mentioned, and that is the home office deduction. We had some women who testified that they were trying to juggle family responsibilities and, at the same time, wished to join the work force. Several of them had children that were in their teenage years, and some who had actually gone on to college, and they had wanted to start their own businesses and do it from their home. Of course, with modern technology, when we have fax lines and we have the copying machines and being able to do so many things over the Internet and on the computer systems, they wanted to establish their own businesses in their homes so that they could still juggle their responsibilities with their families, yet they were fearful to do so because, as one of them told us in this field hearing back in St. Peters, MO, she was fearful of an audit by the IRS; that she had been told by a tax accountant, and probably some very conservative advice passed along to her, that this is a red flag. She was told that taking a deduction for home office expenses, a percentage of the home that is dedicated to business as well as other expenses, that this is like waving a red flag in front of an IRS agent. So there were many, I believe, who testified that day who had qualified deductions but chose not to take those deductions due to fear of an ultimate audit. The gentleman talked about a couple of facts, that it seemed there were a lot of papers and publications on this day, and he talked about all the pages and numbers of words. I took note of a survey that was recently conducted as to those who would prefer having root canal surgery in the dentist office or an IRS audit. Forty-seven percent said they favored root canal work, and 40 percent said an IRS audit. I guess the others were torn between those two attractive alternatives. I applaud the gentleman for promoting a measure and introducing that measure in this House.

Mr. HULSHOF. I appreciate the gentleman's comments. I see that our friend from Colorado, our patriot, has joined us. I would be happy to yield to my friend from Colorado.

Mr. HULSHOF. I know that at various town hall meetings back in Missouri during the district work period that we had some discussions about the upcoming vote that we had today on the tax limitation amendment. There were some questions about exigent circumstances or what about at times of emergency or times of war, and that safety feature was in this constitutional amendment had it passed, for exigent circumstances such as war or military conflict or situations that would require an immediate access to substantial Federal revenues, that that could be done by a simple majority vote. Yet again, I also note with interest, as the gentleman pointed out, that on this vote, on the tax limitation amendment, while it did pass by a simple majority of 233, earlier in the day when we had the sense of Congress expressing a strong desire that American families deserved tax relief, I think that passed unanimously, with well over 400 votes. So if we deduct, then, the 400 votes of those Members who believed that the American people deserve tax relief and yet only 233, there are about 170 or so that were not willing to step up to the plate, if you will, on this issue that would have had a very forward vision for the future of our country.

Mr. HULSHOF. I thank the gentleman. A couple of points that I would like to make, and even ask a question of the gentleman. Does the State of Arkansas have such an amendment?

Mr. HULSHOF. I appreciate the gentleman's efforts. I know that in a special order speech just prior to ours that our more seasoned colleagues took to the floor and began the debate, or facilitated the debate about having major reform, whether that means going to a consumption-based tax or to a flat income tax, and certainly that is a debate that we need to bring the American people into with us, to hear their ideas and concerns. But I also believe in the short term that we need to provide some meaningful tax relief. You talk about the home office deduction. I think that is a very realistic way, for those that are still perhaps tuning in, Mr. Speaker, gnawing on their pencils, wondering about trying to squeeze out those last few deductions before the clock strikes midnight and they get their forms down to the post office. Another I think that has been talked about in this House is a 100 percent deduction for those individuals who are self-employed who purchase health insurance. As it is right now, those that are employers, that have a company that purchase health insurance for their employees, and certainly we encourage making health care accessible to those working men and women, but the fact is that those bosses get to deduct as a business deduction the full cost of the premiums that they pay to cover their employees. Such is not the case for those that are self-employed, and those that are truly seeking the American dream do not have the opportunity to take a similar deduction for their own health insurance, and I think this is a way to craft some relief in the short term that can really make a meaningful difference in the lives of those Americans.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, last week the newly elected Members on the other side of the aisle held a press event, with the minority leader in tow, to complain about the legislative pace of this Congress. As the Speaker knows, on this side of the aisle, newly elected Members have, since back in February, taken to the floor of this House each week that we have been in session to talk about solutions instead of pointing out problems. We have been accentuating the positive, success stories that are alive and thriving in each of our congressional districts across this great Nation. We have spoken passionately about ways to renew our communities, how government can be a partner rather than as a parent. We have promoted efforts to talk about our pro-family agenda and ways to enact regulatory relief. Tonight, it is no secret, Mr. Speaker, that with millions of Americans we train the white hot glare of the spotlight of this House onto the Tax Code. I have spoken to several constituents by telephone who have been supportive and yet have been very angry as they have made their way to the post offices across the Ninth Congressional District of Missouri. And even as some may be tuned in with pencils worn down and erasers worn thin and piles of tax forms and instruction booklets scattered about, Mr. Speaker, our message tonight should be one of hope, because today on the floor of this House, in this hall, we have a couple of victories to pass along to the American people, two victories and a minor setback. And, again, we hope to focus on the positive. One of those was the House Resolution that was actually introduced by another freshman GOP member, a friend and colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Pitts], expressing a sense of Congress that American families deserve some much needed tax relief. I see that my friend from New Jersey is in the well of the House. I know the gentleman spoke very eloquently earlier today about this resolution, and I would yield to my colleague from New Jersey.

Mr. HULSHOF. I think, Mr. Speaker, certainly tax burdens for working families have reached new heights in recent history. As my friend pointed out, the first 120 days of our calendar year we toil and labor simply to pay the tax bill. Certainly we need to provide some relief, even in the immediate future. But I know there was one measure that we did bring up on the floor today that would have provided, I think, a more forward vision, Mr. Speaker, as far as future lawmakers who gather in this body, to make it more difficult for them to raise taxes on the American people. I know that there are many States that have a tax limitation constitutional amendment. In fact, if I am not mistaken, the State of Arkansas has such a tax limitation amendment. I know my friend from Arkansas also spoke very forcefully this afternoon during that debate. I would be happy to yield to him for what comments he would like to make.

Mr. HULSHOF. I appreciate the gentleman's historical and personal perspective and I think put it very well especially the contrast with your grandparents and then the future of this country as evidenced by your young children. The gentleman mentioned that the clock is ticking, and I think symbolically the clock is ticking. It is not that Americans are not taxed enough, because clearly they are overtaxed. The fact is that Washington spends too much and should spend less, which those discussions we will get to have in the weeks and months ahead, and I appreciate my friend from Colorado. And I also see that another son of liberty, if you will, from the State of Texas [Mr. Sessions] joins us in this Chamber, and I would be happy to yield to Mr. Sessions.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman and his comments. I also note with interest, as he pointed out, the Internal Revenue Service saying the difficulties they have had regarding the expenditure of our tax money for the tax system's modernization effort, and the gentleman mentioned his committee. I too was serving on the Subcommittee on Oversight of our committee, the Committee on Ways and Means, and we were examining on that occasion a couple of weeks ago the budget that the IRS was wanting us to consider. I noted with interest that they made a request for an additional $1 billion over the next 2 fiscal years for additional capital expenditures. Yet, as we talked about, the monies that we have spent, and certainly as the clock is ticking and people are actually writing checks out tonight to put into an envelope to send to the Internal Revenue Service, my question is perhaps we should look to simplify the Tax Code rather than to invest additional of our tax monies into computer technology. Certainly computer technology is needed, but at the same time I think we need to look at paring down this very complex and complicated and massive Tax Code in an effort to provide some relief. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I see that my colleague, the gentlewoman from Kentucky [Mrs. Northup] is here. While she is making her way to the microphone, there was, Mr. Speaker, as you know, some additional good news that we had today. Yes, the tax limitation amendment did not pass, but yes, we did pass overwhelmingly the sense of Congress to provide tax relief. In addition, Mr. Speaker, we passed today the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act, which I think is certainly necessary in light of the conversations we have had about this investment in the computer technology and equipment for the Internal Revenue Service. We did pass today by a two-thirds majority vote a measure that would protect the individual taxpayers, that would make it a crime in the Internal Revenue Code for an IRS agent or employee to inspect tax return information without authorization. In addition, this bill mandates that employees that are convicted of browsing or, as some have said, snooping or intruding upon our confidential information that those employees be dismissed from office or discharged from employment. The reason that we had this discussion last week, the General Accounting Office gave us information that over 1,500 cases of unauthorized inspections of taxpayer records occurred between 1994 and 1995. Even though the agency had implemented a zero tolerance policy, it has largely been ineffective and, therefore, this bill hopefully will solve that problem. That was a silver lining to this very dark day of tax day 1997. I see my colleague and friend from Kentucky is here, and I would be happy to yield to her.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentlewoman from Kentucky. I see our time is about to expire. Just to conclude very briefly, once again, those of us on the GOP side, newly elected Members, it is our goal to end this tax trap. It is our goal to help the American people, as we have heard here tonight, earn more money, to be able to keep more money so they can do more for their families and communities. Earlier today a friend of mine on the other side of the aisle said, what about the loss of revenue? Mr. Speaker, Washington's loss is the American family's gain. We stand committed and ready to achieve that measure.

Mr. HULSHOF. In fact, if memory serves me, that earlier because of such an emergency situation regarding the safety of airports and the fact there was a shortfall in the airport trust fund or the safe harbor rule, that there was an extension of the airline fee that was extended for another year. If memory serves, that passed by a two-thirds majority vote.

Mr. HULSHOF

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, for most Americans, the point of least favorable contact between them and Washington occurs today, in fact tonight, and probably up until the midnight deadline when Americans will be delivering their tax returns to the local Post Office. It is during this period of time that Americans are painfully reminded that they work too hard for Washington to take so much of their money away. The struggle to not only pay, but to file our taxes is a burden, and not only are our taxes too high, but our tax system is too complex. I am happy to serve with the two distinguished gentlemen from California on the Committee on Ways and Means. I am one of the few on the tax-writing committee that actually muddles through my tax forms every year without the benefit or assistance of accountants and tax lawyers. We have to do better than the current bureaucratic nightmare of 480 IRS tax forms and 17,000 pages of IRS laws and regulations. Mr. Speaker, I have a copy of the Gettysburg Address, 267 words in this document. The Declaration of Independence talked about the principle of no taxation without representation, 1,322 words in this document. And then we come, Mr. Speaker, to our Tax Code. Nearly 1 million words in this Tax Code, not counting the forms that tell us how to deal with this very complex code. Although it is difficult to believe, I think the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Pitts] pointed out very accurately that a recent study shows that the average American family does pay more on taxes than they spend on food, clothing, and shelter combined. When we turn on a light, we pay a tax. If we pursue the American dream and we are able to own a home, we pay property tax. When we drive our child to school, we pay a gas tax. When we buy groceries at the market, we pay a sales tax. Perhaps the cruelest tax of all is that when we die and pass on our legacy to descendents, our family pays a death tax, and that of course not counting the payroll tax and income taxes that we are saddled with. It used to be that the largest investment that most families made was in their home. Now it is paying the tax bill. Back in the 1950's, taxes took just a fraction of our family incomes. Today, almost half of what we earn goes to the Government in some form or another, one-half. In too many families, one parent is working to put food on the table, while the other is working to pay for the Washington bureaucracy, and Mr. Speaker, I believe this has to stop. I believe we need to demand relief from an unfair tax burden. That is why I support my colleague from Pennsylvania, [Mr. Pitts], in supporting the tax freedom resolution, which calls upon this body and the President to enact permanent tax relief for American families. Mr. Speaker, here in Washington many politicians forget that the taxes that we impose have to be paid by real people who struggle to pay their bills and to make ends meet. My friend from California talks about the revenue loss. Well, Washington's loss is American families' gain. It is my goal to end this tax trap. It is my goal to help Americans earn more of their money and keep more of what they earn so they can do more for themselves, for their families and for their communities.

Mr. HULSHOF

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate a vibrant city in the Ninth Congressional District of Missouri, Hannibal, MO, for its selection to the semifinals of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 1997 Great American Main Street Awards. The Great American Main Street Awards recognize exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America's historic and traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Hannibal, MO, has demonstrated a very active public and private participation in this revitalization process. It enjoys broad-based community support, success in boosting the economy and, more importantly, preservation of the uniquely historic buildings. Mr. Speaker, the goal of the Hannibal Main Street Program is a revitalized program area. The Hannibal Main Street Program has continued to promote economic development within the context of historic preservation. It has established a strong partnership with others in the community to create a wide range of support. The Hannibal Main Street Program has a contract with the city for professional services. In addition, both the public and private schools provide a volunteer work force for downtown cleanup days. Service clubs donate time and supplies, sponsor festivals and parades as well as providing volunteers. A number of local financial institutions participate in low-interest loan programs. This truly is, Mr. Speaker, a community that comes together. In just 6 years, Hannibal Main Street has had a significant, positive economic impact. It has experienced a net gain of 103 new businesses as well as 414 new jobs created. Building sales have skyrocketed and the number of vacancies has plummeted just in the last couple of years. Mr. Speaker, many of us in this Chamber might recognize Hannibal as the home of the American Classics author, Mark Twain. To some, Mark Twain and Hannibal, MO, are inseparable. To the lovers of Mark Twain, Hannibal has become a shrine. Thanks to Hannibal Main Street, all families across America will be able to continue to experience Mark Twain and his history through Hannibal's historic preservation and economic revitalization. I am here today, Mr. Speaker, to salute the residents of Hannibal, MO. It is cities like Hannibal that represent the best that America has to offer. Congratulations, Mr. Speaker, and to Hannibal, MO, on a job well done.

Mr. HULSHOF

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for giving us some human faces and human life examples as to why we need as a Congress to create a new vision, I think, especially the story that the gentleman from Mississippi told about his constituent, Mr. Thigpen, and the estate tax. Today in our committee hearing in the Committee on Ways and Means, we had several individuals who testified about the ravages of the estate tax. Certainly as the son, only son, of a Missouri farm family, I know firsthand whereof the gentleman speaks, of the plight of millions of Americans whose pursuit of the American dream becomes a nightmare when the realities sink in that a family business has to be liquidated, or perhaps a family farm has to be auctioned off on the steps of the courthouse just to pay the Federal tax. I know our family as well as millions of family members across this country have invested not only money into family businesses but their hearts and souls. I know family businesses often take the risks and then navigate those treacherous straits of regulation. And just as open waters and calmer seas lie on the horizon, the Federal Government crashes a tidal wave over the bow of the boats of these family-owned businesses. I applaud the gentleman for his comments. I also recognize my friend from New Jersey, who also is a leader in his community. I know that last week he provided some inspiring comments about success stories in his district about community renewal, and I am happy to yield to him now.

Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's comments, and in looking about I am happy to see my colleague from Kansas. If I could share this quick personal story, not to certainly comment upon my colleague's age, but I recall sitting in front of a black and white television set in the mid 1960's and watching the Olympics and cheering the gentleman on to victory and to an Olympic medal. It is an extreme honor to have the gentleman from Kansas joining us as a new Member, and I would yield to the gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Ryun].

Mr. HULSHOF. I appreciate the inspiring remarks of the gentleman from Kansas and am happy to have him as a leader among our newly elected Members on the Republican side and of this House. Again, Mr. Speaker, as we look for positive solutions to many of the problems that lie ahead and as we as a class forge our identity and we help to create the vision for the future, we are happy tonight to focus on the family, and in that way I yield to my friend from Alabama, Mr. Aderholt.