Sam Johnson

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for months President Clinton promised to protect our children from the addiction of cigarettes, but what about drugs? When Clinton got in office, he slashed the drug czar's staff by 83 percent, he eliminated 200 to 400 DEA agents, and he took the priority of drugs from top on the national security list to bottom. At the same time, marijuana use went up for 12- to 13-year-olds by 13 percent. Sunday, the Dallas Morning News reported Mexican drug smugglers seized ranches on the Texas border for smuggling marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Our border is at risk. Our ranchers are helpless. County and city officials are corrupted. President Clinton's all-talk-and-no-action drug policy has led to an invasion of our borders. It is time we responded. Mr. Speaker, we need our Armed Forces to stop the invasion of the United States of America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, is your tax bill too high? Do you worry about paying your bills. Hardly a day goes by without a call or letter from a constituent or a friend telling me how they struggle from day to day to make ends meet and how they worry about their future and their children's future. It is wrong, simply wrong, that so many families are working harder and longer, but continue to have less and less to show for it. I have to wonder why more people are working two jobs and why more families are forced to have both parents work, yet everyone has less money in their pockets. I have the answer--it's the Washington tax trap. The longer and harder you work, the more taxes you pay. The more taxes you owe. The bottom line is that Washington ends up with more, and you end up with less. Think about what the tax trap has done to society, to families, and to working parents. When I was a child, the largest investment most families made was in their home. Guess what, now it's paying their tax bill. In 1950, taxes took just a fraction of our income. Today, almost half of what you earn goes to the Government. Half. That is more than a person spends on food, clothing, and shelter combined. The tax trap is punishing working parents who are trying to balance career and family, and the children who are in daycare because both parents have to work are feeling the pain of high taxes. In the America that I grew up in, if you worked hard and played by the rules, you still had enough money left over from your paycheck to put something away for the future, and enough for those little extras that made life special. That was the American dream. The American dream was also about making a better life for the next generation--so that children would have more opportunities, more choices, and be better off than their parents. But now, for the first time in our history, an entire generation of Americans is losing hope and confidence in the future. And all blame for this uncertain future lies right here in Washington. For decades, Washington, DC has told America that everything is OK--don't worry, Washington can solve all of your problems. But at the same time Washington has been spending our children's inheritance and creating a national debt that now undermines our future. For too long, Washington has increased the debt by spending more than it takes in, to pay for a growing bureaucracy--a bureaucracy that includes 160 different job training programs, 240 education programs, 300 economic development programs, and 500 urban aid programs. A bureaucracy that pays over 1,900 union employees at the Social Security Administration using money from the Social Security trust fund. How does Washington afford all this? By taking more of the money that you earn. Take Bill Clinton. He wasn't in office 100 days before attempting to raise taxes. By comparison, Republicans spent their first 100 days trying to cut taxes. After all, it is your money. Three years ago, against unanimous Republican opposition, Bill Clinton, forgot that it was your money, and imposed the largest tax hike in American history. I want to know--what is so wrong about asking Washington to live within its means? What is so wrong about demanding that Washington not spend extravagantly at the expense of our children? Is it fair to punish working families who are trying to save for the future? It's time to end the tax trap and give the American family some well- deserved tax relief. But, I don't want to stop there. Our entire tax system needs an overhaul. The current system is economically destructive, impossibly complex, overly intrusive, unprincipled, dishonest, unfair, and inefficient. We need to look toward the future and develop a tax system that will make that future a success. And I don't care if it is a flat tax, a sales tax, a round tax, or a square tax--I just want it to be based on the principles of freedom. That is, it must be fair and simple, reduce bureaucracy, encourage savings and investment, be efficient, drive the economy, create opportunity for all, and put more money in your pocket. Americans don't want, don't need, and don't deserve an intrusive IRS any longer. America was made great because we, as a Nation, strived hard, sacrificed often and worked together to be the best. And we will continue to be a great Nation if we embrace a vision that will abandon the failed systems of the past and be led by the opportunities of the future. With this vision we can enact policies that encourage economic growth, raise wages, promote savings, and return hope and optimism to every American. Unending dreams and limitless possibilities--that's what the American dream is all about. It's up to us to take it back. It is our destiny.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the point of order. I remind my colleagues that 1 year ago we did vote overwhelmingly to uphold it, and it is not just the fact we are losing dollars for the States and cities, it is a vote to place a massive $12.3 billion unfunded Government mandate on private business as well. It is a vote to destroy 620,000 jobs. And those jobs are jobs that part-time workers, teenagers, welfare recipients, in spite of what my colleague says, and unskilled workers, will never have. Those are the people we ought to be creating jobs for. We ought to be eliminating the costly mandates that we here in Washington shove down the throats of our taxpayers. This wage increase is bad economics, bad policy, and bad for the American worker. I ask the Congress not to do what is easy but do what is right for America: Vote ``no'' on this. Americans do not want, do not need, and do not deserve unfunded mandates.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise before this body and commend a group of American young people who are making a significant, positive impact in our world. The students named below are among many involved in the Advanced Training Institute of America [ATIA], an educational program specializing in the development of strong personal character. At the invitation of government leaders from New Zealand and Australia, these 92 students and staff traveled to the South Pacific on April 9, 1996. In addition to conducting a seminar with over 1,000 Australian parents, young people, and children, the ATIA students met with government leaders to discuss character-based solutions for the international juvenile. The Honorable Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, a New Zealand Member of Parliament representing the indigenous Maori people, and Jeff Lees of the New Zealand Justice Department received the American youth in order to discuss ways for expanding a previously established program of cooperation between the Justice Department and ATIA young people. In Melbourne, Australia, the Honorable Ross Smith and other members of Parliament welcomed the ATIA youth with opportunities to talk about developing a work with Australian juvenile offenders. The Honorable Richard Court, Premier of Western Australia, warmly received the American delegation in Perth, where the aforementioned seminar was conducted with over 1,000 in attendance, with special training also being provided by them for 200 young children. Among the most notable accomplishments of the trip was the drafting and signing of an agreement with the Australian Ministry of Justice. The agreement initiates a work involving families helping families and young people helping young people with the goals of strengthening families and reducing juvenile crime. The following young men and woman from around the United States deserve special recognition for their own commitment to good character, and for their personal sacrifices to reach out to needy youth and families all over the world: Starla Adams (OK), Grant Adams (OK), Andrew Anderson (OR), Hamish Anderson (New Zealand), Karith Astle (CA), Angel Atkinson (MO), Jonathan Bain (New Zealand), Simon Bain (New Zealand), Jamie Becker (CO), Heather Bennett (IL), Richard Bramblett (GA), Robert Breese (VA), Christy Briscoe (OK), Cassidy Brock (OR), Weston Brock (OR), Susan Burdulis (WA), Michael Canciglia (WA), Andy Cecil (GA), Tracey Collins (OH), Elizabeth Connelly (CA), James Connelly (CA), Brent Critchfield (CA). Rebekah Crook (TN), Mandy Dennis (TX), Jason Elliot (WY), Janet Fay (PA), Amy Flora (MI), Benjamin Fryman (OH), Katelyn Gerhardt (CA), William Gothard (IL), Eva Grunewald (TX), Lois Guthrie (WI), Larry Guthrie (WI), Lydia Harmon (MI), Erik Hartstom (CA), Adam Hawkins (AZ), Jennifer Hawley (CA), Nathan Hawley (CA), Titus Heard (OK), Laurie Herbert (New Zealand), Wendy Herdlein (MO), Kay Hill (OK), Thomas Hill (OK). Joanne Hogg (New Zealand), Nigel Iro (New Zealand), Miriam Johnson (AL), Carisa Joseph (CA), Anne Kirsten (IN), Dennis Kutuzov (Russia), Crystal Ladd (WI), Leah Lentz (WI), Joseph Lyle (GA), DeShea Mabra (MO), James Marsh (KY), Christi Martin (FL), Danielle Martin (New Zealand), Joseph Martin (TX), Richard Mast (FL), Ruth Mirecki (Canada), Lori Newsom (AL), Esther Olson (KS), Matthew Olson (KS), Inga Panapa (New Zealand), Krizia Panapa (New Zealand), Marcia Panapa (New Zealand). Beth Pendergast (CA), Nathan Pennell (DE), Sara Ramsey (CO), Jonathan Rath (TX), David Rees (KY), Abigail Rose (CA), Kevin Rudeseal (TX), David Scott (NY), Courtney Scroggins (TX), Paula Sinclair (New Zealand), Rosie Smith (New Zealand), Rachel Snell (OH), Rebecca Snell (OH). Melissa Stahl (OH), John Stephens (IL), Jennifer Swecker (WA), Daniel Thompson (CA), Scott Towers (OH), Jennifer Vise (GA), Abby Wakefield (CA), Alyssa Wakefield (CA), Kara Wallace (WA), Jill Walton (PA), Bruce West (Australia), Randal Williams (GA), Russell Williams (VA), Kelly Williamson, (New Zealand).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the great flood of 1996 in the Pacific Northwest I would like to recognize the following 32 young men who gave their personal money, time, and energy to assist with flood relief. At the invitation of Mayor ``Bud'' Harrison and flood relief agencies in the communities of Clatskanie and Nehalem, OR, and under their direction, they served in and around towns for a period of 3 weeks from February 15 to March 10, 1996. During which time they assisted the local police department in maintaining order and safety on the roadways, helped in the salvage and cleanup of homes and businesses that had been damaged, and spread goodwill, faith, hope, and charity wherever they went. Their sacrifice, diligence, and thoroughness conveyed a true sense of brotherly love to the citizens of Nehalem and Clatskanie. The experiences these men received while serving will enrich their lives permanently, causing them to become better citizens, and thus have a greater impact on the world around them. Skyler Bower, Washington; Jonathan Bowers, Tennessee; Jason Butler, Alabama; Seth Campbell, Washington; David Carne, Oregon; James Clifford, Ontario; Andrew Cope, South Carolina; Dan Davis, California; Paul Elliot, Wyoming; Paul Ellis, Mississippi; Brian Gamotis, Washington; Ryan Gearhart, Oklahoma; Craig Guy, Missouri; Matthew Heard, Oklahoma. Daniel Iliff, Kansas; Robert Myer, Florida; Justin Nall, Texas; Jonathen Nicholas, Wisconsin; Ryan Peterson Minnesota; Rhett Prichard, Washington; Tim Rogers New York; David Servideo, Virginia; Adam Shelley, Missouri; Michael Shoemaker, Indiana; Robert Smith, California; John Tanner, Texas; Joshua Tanner, Texas; Justin Tanner, Texas; Scott Westendorf, Oregon; Brian Wicker, Arizona; Matthew Wood, Texas; Matthew Yordy, Indiana.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as our relationship with Mexico becomes more and more important to the well-being of our Nation. I would like to bring to this body's attention the sacrificial effort of 26 young men, who at their own expense and under the invitation and direction of Gov. Julio Cesar Ruiz Ferro and Senator Pablo Salavar, have been serving the community of Nuevo San Miguel Micotic in the Chiapas region of Mexico. They have been providing medical aid and construction assistance, meeting basic needs, and teaching skills to better the community's living conditions and ability to benefit neighboring communities. Their work continues to be heralded throughout the State of Chiapas among the citizens and leaders of Mexico. Furthermore, their experience of cross-cultural service not only strengthens global relationships, but better equips them for work in their home communities. David Beskow, Oregon; Orlando Diaz Jr., Florida; Jason Dolan, Texas; Steve Farrand, Colorado; Ron Fuhrman, Michigan; David Herring, Alabama; Daniel Lamb, California; Eric Lantzer, Michigan; Mark Lassiter, Texas; Paul Lee, Texas; Matthew Lindquist, California; and Aaron Lioi, Ohio. Also, Robert Matlack, Kansas; Joshau Meals, Tennessee; Larry Mooney, Pennsylvania; Steve Nix, Texas; Joshua Ramey, California; Gregg Rozeboom, Michigan; Tim Stewart, Washington; Leon Tan, Malaysia; John Tanner, Texas; Tim Tuttle, Oregon; John Watkins, Minnesota; Paul Watkins, Minnesota; and Nate Williams, Kansas.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we remember the tragic bombing of the Edward P. Murrah Federal Building, in Oklahoma City, OK, on April 19, 1995. I would like to take time to recognize a group of young men who, long after the media's focus on the tragedy had faded, but with much work left to be done, volunteered time, energy, and good will to minister to the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the survivors while moving the residents of a destroyed apartment building to safer locations. These men were a demonstration of sensitivity, availability, and compassion, as well as initiative, in that they recognized and did what needed to be done in the lives of the people of Oklahoma City, with no thought for themselves, but only how they could help their neighbor. Their selflessness and sincerity are an embodiment of those virtues that made America great and will be an asset to them in their home communities and with all those they come in contact. Adam Bell, Texas; Jerry Campbell, Florida; David Carne, Oregon; Steve Dankers, Wisconsin; Chad Gallinger, Maryland; Gary Gilchrist, Florida; Michael Goheen, Washington; Peter Guy, California; Chris Hulson, Oklahoma; Owen Manor, California; Seth Prescott, Mississippi; and Joshua Tanner, Texas.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1993 President Clinton passed the largest tax increase in history, and then later reversed himself in Texas when he commented that he raised taxes too much. He said he was for a tax cut, but he vetoed tax cuts, just one right after the other: A child tax credit relief, capital gains relief, a marriage penalty relief, and many more. Tomorrow we are going to bring a $5,000 adoption tax credit up to be debated again for a second time, and once again the President has reversed himself. He says he likes the idea. We must continue to fight for tax cuts that help American families and children. As my colleagues know, Americans want and even deserve a break from high taxes and not just when it is in the President's best political interest.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our current Tax Code has undergone 31 major revisions and 400 minor revisions over the past 40 years. It has grown from 11,000 words to over 7 million words. The IRS now prints about 480 different tax forms for Americans to fill out. But taxpayers shouldn't fear because the IRS will send you an additional 280 forms to explain how to fill out the first 480. Doesn't that sound simple? All this complex nonsense costs Americans about 5.4 billion hours and $200 billion a year. Is it any wonder that Americans are frustrated, angry, and just plain fed up with our current tax system. It's time to replace it. Join me in repealing the 16th amendment. We must get rid of the IRS. This country and her citizens deserve no less.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I found a statement by Richard E. Byrd, who was speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1908 to 1914, which was the time when the income tax began. He predicted and I quote: A hand from Washington will be stretched out and placed upon every man's business; the eye of the Federal inspector will be in every man's counting house * * * the law will of necessity have inquisitorial features, * * * it will provide penalties, it will create complicated machinery. Under it men will be haled into courts distant from their homes. Heavy fines imposed by distant and unfamiliar tribunals will constantly menace the taxpayer. An army of Federal inspectors, spies, and detectives will descend upon the State. Unfortunately, I believe the gentleman's prediction was right. We in Congress have created a system that has grown from 11,000 to 7 million words, from 14 pages to over 9,000, and now has 480 different tax forms that require an additional 280 forms to describe the first 480. I don't believe this system is either simple or fair. I will ask anyone to tell me that it is simple and fair when they can explain why 50 different tax experts, given the same return for a family of 4, come back with 50 different answers. And why does it take over 115,000 IRS agents to enforce this Tax Code. Does anyone realize that there are more IRS agents than are employed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Agency combined. I have to agree with Fred Goldberg, the IRS Commissioner under George Bush who said: The IRS has become a symbol of the most intrusive, oppressive, and nondemocratic institution in a Democratic society. Not to mention overly complex, economically destructive, unprincipled, inefficient, and discriminatory. Discriminatory because, as stated by Justin Morrill, a Member of this body back in 1866, in this country we neither create nor tolerate any distinction of rank, race, or color, and should not tolerate anything else than entire equality in our taxes. Even the Founding Fathers were opposed to any politics based on income differences, because they feared it would lead to class warfare. They believed that comity and tolerance among the States and classes were the preconditions for a unified country. I believe that the current system has divided the Nation because it says, that if you work hard and make a good living you should be punished. To all those who say the current system is fair I would like to point out a recent Readers Digest poll which found that Americans believe that no one should pay more than 25 percent in taxes and that is Federal, State, and local combined. And this feeling was universal across race, economic, and gender lines. I believe it is time to create a tax system that promotes freedom. Freedom to me means a system that is fair and simple, encourages savings and investment, is efficient, drives the economy, provides opportunity for all and puts more money in your pocket. That is why we will introduce a resolution to repeal the 16th amendment to the Constitution. The American public will see how destructive our tax system really is. I believe as Abraham Lincoln did that ``with public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.'' That is why I call on Congress and the American people to help us pull up the income tax system by its roots and replace it with a system that gives everybody the chance to succeed in attaining the American dream.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to commend the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Nancy Johnson, and the gentleman from California, Mr. Matsui, for doing a good job and for getting this bill back to the floor, this bill of rights back to the floor for a second time. As you know, the President vetoed it back in December, along with a bunch of other stuff. But this bill is important because the powers of the IRS to investigate and examine taxpayers are greater than any other Government agency. They are intrusive. They are into our lives, and it seems that the constitutional rights of taxpayers are always trampled upon but nothing is ever done. This bill makes important commonsense changes to current law that will strengthen the rights of American taxpayers. It establishes a taxpayer advocate to prevent the IRS from treating taxpayers like second class citizens. It increases the amount people may sue the IRS from $100,000 to $1 million. And for the first time, it allows the Federal courts to determined IRS failure and abuse of discretion. While this bill makes important progress to rein in the IRS and its 115,000 IRS agents, I believe America is demanding that the entire system should be replaced, and I think we must insist that any new system must empower individuals and not the Government; provide opportunities, not dead ends, and, most importantly, it must offer the hard-working people of this country the freedom to achieve the American dream. I commend the gentlewoman again for bringing this bill to the floor again, and I hope we can get it through in good shape this time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1909, the Congress made the single largest mistake in the history of this country. It passed the 16th amendment to the Constitution, which allowed Congress to tax income. That single act succeeded in creating a tax system that is economically destructive, impossibly complex, overly intrusive, unprincipled, dishonest, unfair, and inefficient. This country deserves a change. We need a tax system based on a vision of America that places the individual, not the government, at the center of society. We deserve a system that will increase economic growth, create jobs, expand opportunities, and allow people to achieve the American dream. We need a system that promotes freedom. Two things need to be done. One, we need to get this two-thirds vote to increase taxes; second, we must repeal the 16th amendment to the Constitution. Americans do not want, do not need, and do not deserve the IRS.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today is April 15, tax day, and this is the day when Americans send their tax dollars to Washington and when the IRS sends its agents out to audit Americans, and you know this day, believe it or not, on this day, Americans have to work 21 more days to pay all their Federal, State and local taxes. So it is not over today. We have a chance to offer today some security to every American by making it harder for the Government to raise their taxes. Today we are going to vote on a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds vote to raise taxes. You know, I thank the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Barton], my good friend, for this hard work on behalf of the American people. This amendment should have been adopted back in 1993 because that is when the President and his fellow Democrats passed the largest tax increase in the history of this Nation, and it squarely broke the backs of the American people. This amendment would have allowed Americans to keep more of their money for themselves, for their families, for their savings and for their future. That big Clinton tax increase meant that families and workers pay more every time they drive to work, or take their kids to soccer practice, or their family on a vacation. This is because the President increased the Federal gasoline tax by 4.3 cents. I bet most of my colleagues do not even know what their gasoline tax is. In the State of Texas, it amounts to 38\1/2\ cents a gallon. That is one-fourth of your total gasoline tax or gasoline bill and most pumps do not tell you that you that. That big Clinton tax increase meant seniors pay more on their social security benefits because that was raised, as well. So for seniors, the President's tax increase continues to mean slower growth, fewer jobs and a less competitive America. The President used class warfare to justify his need to increase taxes, but in reality, his tax increase hit middle America the hardest, the people he claimed to protect. The President's income tax increase hit small businesses right in their pocketbook. It took more money out of their businesses, out of their pockets and out of their future, money which could have been used to expand or hire new workers. Even Senators Kennedy and Dorgan, both Democrats, agreed. Mr. Speaker, this is the major difference now between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats believe Americans should pay more taxes and that the Government deserves more of your money. They believe in raising the minimum wage instead of allowing every American to keep more of what they earn. Democrats believe in big taxes, big Government. They deplore the entrepreneurial spirit, success and self-accomplishment. They believe that if you work harder every day of your life, your own hard work and determination produces results so that you become successful, you should be punished. That is why this administration raised taxes, because they honestly feel that the Government has the right to take what you earn and spend it. They believe they can spend your money better than you can. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe in a smaller, less intrusive Government, lower taxes and the ability of the American people to succeed. Opportunity, hard work and the Republican ideal is the American dream. We feel that people should be rewarded for success and not punished. We believe that the money you earn is yours to keep. We know this works because Presidents Kennedy and Reagan proved that it does. Their tax cuts, their tax relief allowed people to grow the economy, create jobs and increase the living standard of every American. Families should not be forced to pay more in taxes than they pay for food, clothing and shelter combined, which is the fact today. To me, that is unacceptable. While I applaud my friend for his amendment, my hope and desire is that we will follow through on another promise and replace the current tax system with one that promotes freedom: That is, F, free, fair and simple; reduces the role of government, R; E-E, by eliminating the IRS, encouraging savings and investment; driving the economy; opportunity for all; and the ``m'' in ``freedom,'' put more money in the pockets of all Americans. This is what the country deserves, and this is what we can begin to implement actually next week when I introduce a bill to repeal the 16th amendment to the Constitution, which is the income tax amendment. We must act as soon as possible and rid the Nation of the IRS now.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it has been 5 years since the gulf war, and we have done nothing to end our dependence on oil, foreign oil. Today the United States imports more than 50 percent of its oil from foreign countries, not because we want to, but because our laws have forced us to. When we mandate that all companies have to get 1,000 permits and regulations to drill just one well, anytime we increase the regulatory cost by $37 billion, when we close off their access to oil- rich land and when we support a destructive tax code that contains provisions like the alternative minimum tax, we are just asking for lost jobs and foreign dependence. Is it any wonder our oil companies have lost over 500,000 jobs since 1972, closed half of their refineries and moved to Vietnam, China, and Russia? Mr. Speaker, we must change the rules to allow our oil industry to flourish, create jobs and provide a strong and secure America for us and our children.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, medical savings accounts are for middle-income America. There is a chart that proves it. Medical savings accounts, therefore, must be part of any health care plan we pass. They are an important option for both employers and employees. They give enhanced portability, preserve consumer choice, allow retirement savings and contain costs. Medical savings accounts offer all Americans the opportunity to buy a plan that best meets their individual needs. Mr. Speaker, middle-income Americans are my constituents. They repeatedly tell me that one of the most important things that they want is the ability to choose their own doctor. Medical savings accounts do that. They will allow people to achieve control over their own health care dollars, make it more cost-conscious and bring down the total cost of medical costs for everyone. Medical savings accounts are good for America. Medical savings accounts offer Americans a freedom they deserve.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today the Committee on Ways and Means is in hearings to begin the process of replacing our current tax system. I applaud the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer], the chairman, for addressing this issue head on. He said that we have got to pull the IRS out by the roots. We can no longer support a tax system that places enormous burdens on our families, businesses, and the future of this country. Mr. Speaker, America deserves better. We deserve a new tax system that will reduce the role of the Federal Government and get the IRS out of our lives. It must be a system that promotes economic growth, savings, and investment. It must be simple and, most importantly, it has to be fair. I believe that, guided by these principles, we can develop an entirely new tax system that will unleash the tremendous pent-up potential of this country's greatest resource, its people, and get rid of the IRS.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today the President is going to release his budget. Unfortunately, his view of America is more taxes, more spending, and more government. This is a fact, it is not partisan rhetoric, and we should not be surprised. In the past 3 years President Clinton has passed the largest tax increase in history, vetoed welfare reform, not once, but twice, vetoed tax benefits for families and businesses, vetoed the first balanced budget in 26 years, and allowed Medicare to go bankrupt. Now he simply wants $8 billion more in new spending this year and a 4-percent increase in spending next year; all this despite his rhetoric that the era of big government is over. This President has proven he cannot manage his own bureaucracy. He has shown by his actions he is not ready to give the people of this country the ability to achieve their own American dream.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, as my colleagues know, I think it is time we took a look at this thing. The purpose of the Social Security Administration is to provide benefits to seniors, not to police the borders. This card that we are talking about here costs about $10.54 to make. A card like my colleagues are talking about, if it is like a passport, is $60. Taxpayers pay for a passport. They do not pay for this except through payroll tax deductions. Let me just read for my colleagues what the Social Security Administration says this is today. The current Social Security card is already counterfeit resistant, contains most of the features that have been incorporated in the newly redesigned $100 bill, such as small disks that can be seen with the eye, cannot be reproduced by color photographs. In addition, the current card is printed on banknote- quality card paper that has blue marbleized background with raised printing that can be felt by running one's fingers across the card. It seems to me that maybe we are not looking at the Social Security cards when we hire people or when we ask people, ``Are you a legal immigrant?'' Now I think it is time that we got down to brass tacks and said Americans do not want, do not need, and do not deserve a Federal identification card.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on March 12, 1996, I was unavoidably detained from the House floor due to election in the State of Texas. Had I been present, I would have voted on the following: On rollcall vote No. 56, ``aye''; on rollcall vote No. 57, ``aye''; on rollcall vote No. 58, ``aye''; and on rollcall vote No. 59, ``aye.''

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of personal pleasure that I recognize the major accomplishments of an individual who dedicated his career to serving the interests of our country, Mr. John E. Kumpf. Mr. Kumpf, who has been a resident of Dallas, TX, for the past 23 years, distinguished himself as a fighter pilot from 1950 to 1954. He was a member of the 25th Interceptor Squadron and flew an F-86 Sabre jet during the Korean war. Mr. Kumpf flew over 100 air combat and support missions from his base of operations at Suwon, Korea. For his dedicated efforts during this campaign, Mr. Kumpf received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three clusters. He continued in the U.S. Air Force until December 1954 when he received an honorable discharge as a captain. Mr. Kumpf continued to serve his country for 20 years through the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a pilot and public information officer, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. After Korea, he continued his career in the defense sector by joining Sperry Rand Corp. in 1956. He served them admirably in public relations and marketing for 16 years in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN. In 1972, he joined E-Systems, in Dallas, TX, as director of public relations and later as vice president, corporate communications. He directed the annual U.S. savings bonds drive to solicit employees to buy U.S. savings bonds through payroll deduction. As a result, over a 23-year period, E-Systems employees have purchased more than $110 million of U.S. savings bonds. In summary, Mr. Kumpf merits our thanks and tribute for the outstanding contribution he has made to his country. My personal thanks and extraordinary citizen and constituent.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this bill became necessary really because the President, Mr. Panetta, and Secretary Rubin have used our seniors as political pawns in the public debate. Instead of working on solving the problems remaining, the President has resorted to scare tactics, pure and simple, demagoguery to try to frighten our seniors on a variety of issues. But we as Americans cannot stand by while this administration blatantly misstates the facts to make seniors believe that their Social Security checks are in jeopardy. I find this outrageous. Leon Panetta himself back in 1993, believe it or not, said it is important to tie the debt limit to other disciplines people would like to put in place. Maybe he forgot about saying that, but I bet Leon did not forget about voting ``no'' against debt limit increases two times back there because it did not have anything tied to it. These comments are ridiculous. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, not only to reassure our seniors but to prevent the President from playing the scare game once again. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that seniors continue, as they have for the past 55 years, to receive their checks without fail. This will be another Republican promise that will not be broken, which is more than the President can say.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support our Armed Forces. Although there are many good things in this bill, changes made in this latest version are not in our Nation's best interests. The most egregious omission is that it now allows the President to put American troops under U.N. command. Under U.N. control the world's best fighting force would be put into the hands of an irresponsible, incompetent organization that is fraught with unnecessary bureaucracy and fiscal crises. The United Nations record is a disgrace. Peacekeeping missions continue to grow in number, while success declines and its purposes and goals are ill-defined at best. There is no leadership. Our service men and women put their lives on the line to protect freedom and serve our Nation. It is our responsibility to ensure their safety. We would be shirking that responsibility by allowing someone from the United Nations--who knows nothing about the U.S. military--to assume control of our troops. Once again I find myself wondering why this administration and those on the other side of the aisle have fought so hard against any effort to protect our troops from being placed under U.N. control. How can any American really be committed to any questionable organization such as the United Nations. I am amazed that any administration could have such little concern for our Nation's military. I would hope that the decision to take this important provision out of this bill will be reconsidered in the future. The safety and future of our Armed Forces depend upon it.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, that speech last night was just like other speeches that this President has given. He is a great public speaker, but unfortunately, after the State of the Union is over, and he has had a chance to act, Willie's actions never match his words. He talked about a secure future, yet he this very week is demanding that Congress raise the debt limit and increase the burden on our children. He talks about the importance of educating our children, yet he continually relies on bureaucrats in Washington to dictate how we educate our kids. Just like the last three State of the Union addresses, the delivery was great, but that is about it. He is a liberal who is ferociously fighting for big government, higher taxes and Washington control over every part of our lives. It is still the same old Bill Clinton. Our Republican ideal is for a better America for our kids: lower taxes, less government, and power back to the people. Our prayer is that the President holds our same views.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I hate this disagreement among us. I respect the Democrats, and I respect the gentleman from California [Mr. Dellums] very much. I think he knows exactly what he is doing. But in the last 10 years, he is aware that the defense budget has been cut by 71 percent. It has hit us hard. This particular authorization takes care of our troops. It gives them equipment that they need in order to fight the battle. It gives them the stuff of what it takes for this President to expand our military all over the world with new missions and lets them do the job. It gives them the ability to do the job. In addition it gives them that quality of life that gets them out of the snow and mud and makes the military worth being in and worth fighting for this nation. I urge Members to support this and override that presidential veto and give our troops what they need. We do not want the President trying to do more with less. I think the gentleman would agree with that.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the preamble to the Constitution reads, ``We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.'' As a Republican, as a veteran, as a citizen, and as father--these are the things that I have fought for and want to pass on to my children, their children, and my country. I think many people have forgotten what this budget fight is about. It is not about the CBO or the OMB. It is about the future of this country. If we do not balance the Federal budget and reduce spending--the country our forefathers envisioned will collapse under the weight of a massive debt and growing deficits. We must reduce spending and balance the budget. The freedom of our people and our country depend on it.