General Leave

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and Texan, Mr. Brady, for yielding to me.

Madam Speaker, today, we are voting on a bill that is long overdue, a bill that would permanently allow taxpayers, including most especially my constituents, to permanently deduct the State and local sales taxes that they pay.

Back in 2004, I was part of the effort that brought back this important tax deduction. Unfortunately, as many of my constituents know too well, this deduction is not permanent. Because it is not permanent, Congress has had to renew it almost every year. This creates uncertainty for taxpayers.

That is why this bill is so important. By making this deduction permanent, we can provide taxpayers with the certainty that they deserve, but this bill isn't just about providing certainty; it is about providing fairness.

Right now, taxpayers in States with income taxes can permanently deduct their State and local income taxes; but, in States without an income tax, like Texas, taxpayers can't permanently deduct their State and local sales taxes. That is wrong, and that is unfair.

It shouldn't matter what type of State and local taxes we are talking about. If the IRS allows folks to permanently deduct their income taxes, it ought to also allow so for sales taxes. The IRS shouldn't discriminate against hard-working taxpayers in other States like Texas.

With many hard-working Americans, taxpayers are trying to make ends meet. Every dollar in the pocketbook makes a difference.

In closing, I would like to thank my good friend, Mr. Brady, for his work on this important bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source