Sam Johnson

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I can't believe that the other side of the aisle can, in good conscience, vote today against balancing our Nation's budget. I can't believe that they are able to look their families in the eye after so carelessly playing partisan politics with their futures. The other side sees more importance in pitting Americans against Americans in class warfare than they do in securing the fiscal future of the Nation and its people. And they can stand down here all day long and talk about what the Republican budget will do. But, I have said it before and I will say it again, don't try to fool the American people into believing that balancing the budget and cutting taxes will hurt them--they know better. They know that the Government spends too much money. And they know that the only way to stop the Government from spending too much is to not give them too much money in the first place. And I want to remind you that this is not our money. This money belongs to living. So I have to ask how you can justify voting today to take more of that person's money to support your out-of-control spending habits-- which will drive the debt out of control and leave our children with nothing? I can't imagine what reasonable thinking person would vote that way. We need to remember what this vote is about. It is about the American people--it is their future that is on the line here. I challenge everyone in this body to make the most important vote in history--vote to balance the budget and restore security and prosperity to America-- vote against this substitute and for the Republican balanced budget plan.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats, scare-the- people campaign about draconian cuts by Republicans is just ridiculous. The Republican budget actually increases spending by 3 percent every year for the next 7 years, spending nearly $12 trillion more in the next 7 years than in the past. When I was back in Dallas, my constituents put together three notebooks full of comments about ideas for reductions in Government spending. Do you know what they say? Balance the budget. So do not try to fool the American people into thinking that balancing the budget will hurt them. They know better. They know Government spends too much, and, most importantly, they know the consequences if we continue down the path that we are going on now. They will also know, after tomorrow, that it is the Republicans who have taken the first major step toward balancing our budget.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill to require the Medicare Board of Trustees to make recommendations on resolving the financial crisis in Medicare. They reported on April 3 that the Medicare trust fund is going to be bankrupt at the latest by the year 2002. If nothing is done, this trust fund is going to go bankrupt and there will be no Medicare. Clearly, this is not something that we can choose to address. It is something we must address. Medicare is not simply a budget issue and should not be used merely to score political points. Our Nation's seniors deserve better than that. Everyone, the Congress, the President, and his Cabinet must fulfill the duties of their offices by acknowledging the problem and offering solutions. So far the White House and Democrat congressional leadership have chosen to ignore the crisis in Medicare, and that is why this bill is necessary. I hope the administration is listening. By refusing to address Medicare, they jeopardize the entire system. Americans say help us save Medicare. Vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the accomplishments of an outstanding individual and fellow Texan who has done exceptional work in the development and manufacture of night vision equipment. This equipment enabling armies to fight in the dark is one of the most profound changes in military capability in history. It was a critical factor in the low loss of life and played a major role in the success of Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait. These examples alone prove conclusively that night vision technology has revolutionized military tactics and strategy. Sam Yanagisawa was instrumental in the development and manufacture of the first generation of image intensifier night vision equipment and of subsequent generations of goggles for night flying and for use by ground troops. His leadership, dedication, innovation, and frankly, his genius, led the way in providing our fighting forces with a night fighting capability that has proved decisive. He has been in the forefront with both the public and private sectors. Mr. Yanagisawa was one of the founders of the U.S. Night Vision Manufacturers Association that help persuade our forces to adopt this equipment and develop the necessary doctrine for its employment. His initiative, foresight, and professionalism contributed immeasurably to the success of this effort. At the same time, he served on the Army Science Board, chaired two summer studies, and currently serves on the Air Force Studies Board. Mr. Yanagisawa served in various positions at Varo Inc., from 1967- 1987 where he developed the first generation of night vision tubes and equipment at high rate of production and introduced special process computers for the complex production of photocathodes, an integral part of image intensified devices. He went on to facilitate the efficient production of second generation tubes and equipment so that night goggles could be practicable for ground and airborne applications. He retired as chairman and CEO of Varo in 1987. Mr. Speaker, I salute Sam Yanagisawa for his hard work, diligence, and outstanding accomplishments in the development of night vision. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his years of dedication and join together in commending him for showing great foresight and commitment to the night vision industry. We thank him for his genuine contributions to our Nation's security and wish all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1993, President Clinton and the liberal Democrats passed the largest tax increase in history, claiming it was for deficit reduction. But, the forecast is $200 billion in deficits as far as the eye can see. The problem is not that the Government does not have enough money; it just spends too much. We have the proof: For every dollar they have raised in taxes, they have spent a dollar fifty-nine. We must pass the Republican tax relief bill. It reduces the Clinton Tax on workers, helps businesses expand, creates jobs, and gives money back to the people who earned it. This tax cut is vital. We must eliminate the deficit. These cuts take money away from the beast, big government, and put dollars back in the hands of the creators of economic growth, the American people.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of America's families, who are all struggling to make ends meet. For too long Washington has increased taxes and slowly eroded the ability of families to afford the basic necessities of life. It is absurd that the American families now pay more in taxes for food, clothing, and houses combined. High taxes are for what? Politicians can spend more; that is, for big government. It is time to end this selfish Washington knows best attitude. This money does not belong to government. It belongs to you, the people. This bill would provide tax relief to 35 million American families. Congress must realize that the people of America can handle their own money better than any Washington bureaucrat. Republicans know better that lower taxes mean more money in the hands of people who make the economy grow. This means families have more money to spend, to invest, or save for the future. truly do not know any other way to run the government. Some of our Democrat speakers even believe that the tax-and-spend policy has succeeded. But we all know what a failure it was. Taxes are destructive to families, to businesses, and to the economy. Contrary to liberal belief, taxes do not discriminate by income. They hurt every family in America. It is unbelievable that Democrats still believe that people are not taxed enough. But then again, these are the same Democrats that passed the largest tax increase in history. They want to raise taxes again. Listen to their rhetoric. It supports big government. It supports big spending. It supports more taxes, and they want your family to pay for their over spending. Let us take a giant step forward today for our families, our children, and our Nation and vote for this bill and vote for tax relief.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1993, President Clinton and the liberal Democrats passed the largest tax increase in American history--$240 billion. The 1993 tax bill included a provision that increased--from 50 to 85 percent--the tax on Social Security benefits received by senior citizens. Why the President chose to increase taxes on people who have worked hard and paid taxes all their lives is beyond belief. Ironically, this is the same President who used Social Security as his excuse to oppose the balanced budget amendment. Liberal Democrats chose to raise taxes on our senior citizens instead of cutting their own spending. Republicans plan to repeal this onerous tax on seniors and at the same time balance the budget. We do not have to tax seniors to reduce the deficit--we can and will cut our own spending. We must repeal the Clinton penalty tax on senior citizens. If you support seniors, then support the Republican tax relief bill.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Republican tax bill is a necessity, a necessity because for too long the Federal Government has penalized Americans for working hard. That is what a tax does. It penalizes people for working hard and earning money. A tax says go out and find a job, start a business, work hard, but do not succeed. Because, if you do, the Federal Government will come and take your money to Washington to feed the growth of yet another massive, wasteful bureaucratic agency. This is the philosophical difference between Republicans and liberal Democrats. Democrats fear tax cuts because they reduce the amount of money they can spend on Government projects. Republicans embrace tax cuts because we believe if you work hard, you persevere and you succeed, you deserve, without question, to keep the money you worked hard to earn. This is what the American dream is all about. Republicans also know you can create jobs and stimulate the economy if the money is in the citizens' pocket, not in the Government troughs. The only thing the Government knows how to do is spend more and rack up the debt. The 40-year Democrat experiment of increased taxes, increased spending, and big Government has failed. The only thing Congress has to show for it today after 40 years is a $4.5 trillion debt and a $200 billion deficit each year forever, as far as you can see, and an inefficient, ineffective Federal Government. This, again, is why the Republican tax relief bill is a necessity now. Now is the time once again to create capital, not suppress it; to reward success, not punish it; to promote business, not destroy it; and to restrain Government, not enlarge it. The Republican tax relief bill is good for families, good for businesses, good for workers, and good for America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let us review the Democrats' reign in power. In 1948 the average family with children paid only 3 cents of every dollar to the Government. Last year that same family lost 24\1/2\ cents in taxes. American families now spend more in taxes than on food, clothing, and housing combined. The average family losses $10,060 per year of income due to taxes. Now let us review the Republican plan. Clinton's tax on Social Security benefits for seniors will be repealed; families with incomes of $25,000 will have their entire Federal income tax liability eliminated; 35 million families will have their taxes decreased. Which looks better to you, Republican tax relief or the Democrats' 40-year-old failure of high taxes and runaway spending? Let us stop feeding the Federal beast. Let us go for tax relief.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week Republicans will complete the historic 100-day contract by passing a landmark tax relief bill. Democrats will rise and denounce Republicans as friends of the rich and enemies of the poor. They will replay again and again the same old tired argument of class warfare, trying to pit Americans against Americans. Just last week Mr. Gephardt said, ``Republicans believe in giving money to the people that are the most privileged in our society. And they believe that ultimately it will trickle down to the rest of society.'' I ask this question: Is repealing the Clinton tax on Social Security benefits for senior citizens giving money to the most privileged? No. Is increasing the earning limitation for seniors from $11,000 to $30,000, giving money to the most privileged? No. Is providing a savings account that allows any individual or family the opportunity to save and invest in a first home, send their children to college, or help pay high medical bills giving money to the most privileged? No. Is increasing the amount small businesses may expense from $17,500 to $35,000 giving money to the most privileged? No again. This will free up needed capital to invest in new equipment and create more jobs. credit, giving money to the most privileged? Definitely no again, especially when 74 percent of the benefits go to families earning less than the $75,000. Actually there should be no cap at all. I guess the liberals have to engage in class warfare because liberal Democrats are the party of failed promises and broken dreams. This is the only defense they have, since, for over 30 years they have done nothing to slow spending, just raise taxes. Look at the facts. President Clinton promised middle class tax cuts in 1992 and failed to deliver. But he did pass the largest middle-class tax increase in history. And after the last election, the President and the minority leader proposed tax cuts, only now to withdraw them. The President promised deficit reduction but his current budget continues $200 billion deficits from now to eternity. Mr. Speaker, Republicans have kept their promises, and the liberal Democrats have kept their tired rhetoric. It is the Republicans that will lower taxes, balance the budget, and downsize Government. Republicans are showing the Nation they have the courage and integrity to create a stronger America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the conference report just agreed to.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Houston said health care is important. Let us fix it. That is what this bill does. We do not want to pick on an issue that does not have any relevance to this particular issue which is fixing health care. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the chairman of the committee for his leadership and commitment in bringing the bill to the floor in an expedited fashion, because things are about to expire. By doing so the committee ensured that the self-employed will be able to enjoy a permanent deduction of 30 percent to pay for their health insurance costs in the years to come, and 25 percent this year. We must help small business survive in America and I guess the Democrats just want to help the wealthy because they want big corporations to have 100-percent deductions, and small guys to have nothing. It was unfortunate that this deduction was allowed to expire in the past, and equally unfortunate that we are not able to allow a full 100-percent deduction for our small guys, too. We know the self- employed need the same benefits as big business, I believe. Past legislation has been unfriendly toward business and the passage of this bill is one step in a new and better direction. We need to recognize the barriers to success that are placed in the paths of self- employed and do what we can to eliminate them. We need a level playing field for both small business and big business. Again, I thank the Chairman and urge all my colleagues to support the passage of this important bill.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am shocked at the arrogance of some Members, who stand before this body and continually bellyache-- that when the Republican tax relief passes, the Federal Government will lose revenue. I cannot believe that we have to stand up and remind Members--the money we spend is not ours, the Government did not work one day to earn that money. And yet Members continue to gripe. Lower taxes put money back into the pockets of the people who get up every morning, send their kids off to school and put in 8 hours earning a decent living. By standing up and saying the Government will lose money is saying to Americans, work hard, but remember, at the end of the day send all your money to Washington because we want to spend it, because we know better than you how to do that. Wake up, Congress, it is not our money, let us remember why we were elected. Give the American taxpayers a needed break. Cut taxes.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. William R. McClain, who retires as the vice president, government and international operations for E-Systems on March 31. Bill has had a long and distinguished career in the service of our country, including 4 years in the Air Force, 30 years at the Federal systems division of IBM, and the last 8 years with E-Systems. During his years of service, Bill has been involved with many sensitive defense, intelligence, and space programs affecting the security of our Nation. The sheer number of programs he has been associated with over such a long career is impressive, but the diversity of those programs is remarkable. Included in his portfolio have been the Titan rocket, AWACS, global positioning system, the space shuttle, and the RC-135 and U-2 aircraft programs, to name a few. Bill had been successful for many reasons, the most important being his lovely wife Flo and their four children. Among the other important reasons for his success have been his ability to reduce complex technical problems or situations to their simplest terms, and to then apply clear and precise solutions. Over the years, Bill's consummate skill in the area of marketing resulted in significant business opportunities for both IBM and E-Systems. This resulted in high quality products for the U.S. Government, high quality jobs for U.S. workers, and added leverage for U.S. competitiveness in the international arena. As Bill and Flo retire in their lovely home on a beautiful golf course in North Carolina, they can enjoy what they have worked hard for all these years. They can also enjoy knowing that they have made a positive contribution to the security of our great Nation. Good luck and best wishes Bill and Flo, and remember to keep your head down and follow through.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for 40 years the Democrats controlled the Congress. They did nothing but protect and expand to the tune of $5 trillion a cruel welfare bureaucracy. For 2 years the Democrats controlled the House, the Senate, and the White House and still promoted this destructive government-run, one- size-fits-all program that perpetuates a cycle of dependency. For 2 years the President talked and talked and talked about ending welfare as we know it but did nothing, and this year, guess what? He is still silent. But since January 4, the Republican Congress has replaced talk with action, replaced rhetoric with real change. The Republican welfare bill does not lack compassion. It is born out of compassion. The real lack of compassion was shown by those who stood by and did nothing while more and more Americans were pushed further and further away from the American dream. Today we will pass real welfare reform and give America back that dream.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I say to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel], I heard him yesterday talking about how we had left out our felons who were getting welfare, left them out. That is what we are talking about right now is an amendment to correct that and make it happen. The Deal bill does not even talk to that. In fact, it destroys any welfare reform that there is going. I cannot believe that our Federal Government actually pays with taxpayers dollars, I might add, welfare benefits to criminals who are fleeing prosecution from the law. I heard the gentleman say that. I would like to list for those who do not know the benefits criminals get while on the run: Criminals, criminals under current law can and do receive AFDC, SSI, and food stamps. Instead of giving benefits to those who truly are in need we are giving them to individuals who have broken the law and are trying to escape from it. The real question is why does this atrocity continue to happen. The answer is because current law prohibits Federal welfare agencies from sharing information with local law enforcement communities. What this means, if your local police officer calls the Federal welfare agency that administers those benefits and asks for the address of a known felon, that welfare agency by law is forbidden even from giving the most current address to the police. I cannot believe that this is happening in our country. It is just one more irritation that our police officers currently have to hurdle in their attempt to stop crime. This is simply outrageous. Whoever said crime does not pay never understood how Government bureaucracy works. I urge all of my colleagues and I hope the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel], too, will support this amendment and stop the flow of taxpayer dollars to criminals and allow welfare agencies to help our police officers fight the war on crime.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the gentleman's amendment to block grant food stamps back to the States, and I understand that the chairman of the committee really says that he wants to do that, but he did not do it, and I believe this is a very important amendment because it will complete the historic transformation of the most disastrous, cruel, and mean-spirited and destructive Federal welfare system ever created. We owe it to the States, the counties, the local communities, and the people currently trapped in this system to pass this amendment. This amendment will ensure that the Governors and local officials have not just some, but all, of the tools they need to create real solutions to serious problems facing their communities. Without this amendment our work here is actually incomplete. I remember when we first began the task of designing solutions to end the welfare bureaucracy. We agreed the best thing we could do for the truly needy Americans was to return control of all major programs back to the States. We agreed on this approach because the current system run by Washington is broke, it does not work. I cannot understand why we would now turn around and say, ``Well, block grants are good, but not for food stamps.'' That is what I just heard. If local control is the solution for school lunches, family nutrition and child protection, which we believe it is, then it must also be the answer for reforming food stamps. The Governors need and deserve all the flexibility we can give them to solve the problems that they understand best. I say to my colleagues, ``To only give them two-thirds of the tools they need is like playing golf without a putter. You can't finish.'' Two committees I served on stood fast, and fulfilled their promise and passed out a tough, but fair welfare bill. Despite all the Democratic rhetoric, I strongly support and believe in the block grant proposals contained in this bill, but I cannot believe the Committee on Agriculture caved in to the big farm lobbyists and failed to fulfill their Contract With America. By doing this they have put our entire effort at real reform at risk. This system was designed by the Governors and the Congress as an integrated system that works simultaneously, together. It was to work as one, each section supporting the next. This is why it is so important we pass this amendment. Let us get back to the State authority that our U.S. Constitution demands, Mr. Chairman. The Governors would not need and deserve nothing less than full welfare reform. Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Volkmer].

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. I thank the Chair, and I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield the remainder of our time to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Collins], our colleague on the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. McCrery].

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California [Mr. Cunningham]. (Mr. CUNNINGHAM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Johnson]. (Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw], our distinguished chairman of the committee that designed such a wonderful welfare bill.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today an important amendment will come before us, an amendment that will block-grant food stamps and complete the historic transformation of the Democrat-created, heinous, disastrous, and destructive Federal welfare system. We must pass this amendment to ensure that the Governors have all the tools they need to create welfare solutions for their States. Without this amendment, our work here will be incomplete. Two out of three committees responsible for change stood fast and fulfilled their promise to the States, giving them the flexibility they need, but unfortunately one committee did not. Food stamp block grants will repair that weak link and provide the States with the means to completely break down and bury a system whose time has long since come and gone. Our Governors want, need, and deserve nothing less than full welfare reform.