[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 212 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 212
Opposing a national sales tax on working families and supporting a tax
cut to benefit the middle class.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 8, 2023
Mr. Nickel (for himself, Mr. Sorensen, and Ms. Pettersen) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Armed
Services, Veterans' Affairs, and the Judiciary, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
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RESOLUTION
Opposing a national sales tax on working families and supporting a tax
cut to benefit the middle class.
Whereas hardworking families have faced significant economic challenges over the
past few years, including high gas prices, rising costs for groceries,
and increasing rent and home prices due to record-high inflation;
Whereas elected leaders should be working to relieve individuals in the United
States of the financial pressure at the kitchen table, and pass
legislation that brings down costs rather than raises prices;
Whereas Republicans in Congress have introduced and plan to consider H.R. 25,
the FairTax Act of 2023, which would impose a new national sales tax and
increase the price of all goods and services by 30 percent;
Whereas, under this legislation, it is estimated that, for a family in the
United States--
(1) the average yearly grocery bill would rise by $3,500;
(2) the cost of buying a car would go up $10,000; and
(3) the cost of buying a home would increase by $125,000;
Whereas the price increases brought on by the FairTax Act of 2023 would
disproportionately impact retirees, seniors, and those living on a fixed
income by raising prices on individuals whose incomes will remain flat
as prices rise;
Whereas this misguided legislation, which places a financial burden on seniors
and hardworking families, also eliminates all income taxes for the
ultra-rich;
Whereas in recent years, Republicans in Congress have given massive tax cuts to
billionaires and giant corporations at the expense of middle class
families;
Whereas Republicans in Congress have suggested paying for past tax cuts for
corporations and the ultra-wealthy by cutting Social Security, Medicare,
and Medicaid;
Whereas Democrats in Congress passed the largest middle class tax cut in
generations through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law
117-2; 135 Stat. 4), which expanded the earned income tax credit and the
child tax credit, cutting child poverty nearly in half in 2021; and
Whereas individuals in the United States deserve real bipartisan tax reform and
a simpler, fairer tax code aimed at supporting the middle class: Now
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) strongly opposes H.R. 25, the FairTax Act of 2023,
which would impose an effective 30 percent sales tax on all
goods and services, raising prices for hardworking families,
seniors, and other individuals in the United States working to
make ends meet;
(2) supports the passage of a responsible tax cut that
would actually benefit hardworking families and grow the middle
class, while making the ultra-wealthy and billion-dollar
corporations pay their fair share; and
(3) opposes paying for any tax cuts with cuts to Social
Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, or cuts to pay and benefits
for our servicemembers, veterans, or law enforcement.
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