Issue Position: Taxes

Issue Position

I still believe that smaller government and lower taxes are the most effective economic policies. Working Americans now pay more in taxes than at any other time in history. If you add up the costs of federal, state and local taxes, the average citizen pays more than half of his/her income to the government. We should meet the most pressing needs of the government by cutting waste, fraud and inefficiency -- not by letting Washington make another grab into the taxpayers' pockets.

It is my opinion that stimulating the economy through tax relief restores consumer confidence, spurs capital investment, and creates new jobs, which are critical components of economic growth. I supported both the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, which lowered taxes on all Americans, including families in the Sixth District. I believe it is important for these tax cuts to be made permanent so families and small businesses are allowed to keep more of their hard-earned money.

The estate tax was repealed on December 31, 2010, but will revert to pre-2001 levels in one year. This sunset provision prompted the House to consider legislation to permanently address the estate tax. During previous sessions of Congress, the House has passed legislation three times, with my support, which would provide for permanent estate tax relief. None of those bills became permanent law.

The estate tax amounts to a double tax. This tax punishes American families who have worked diligently to provide for themselves and want to pass along their success to their children -- whether it is property or a small business. We firmly believe that death should not be a taxable event.

Most recently, the House considered legislation extending certain tax credits as well as a permanent fix to the estate tax. I voted against this package because it did not provide for the full repeal of the estate tax, and I will continue to support legislation that achieves that goal.

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