Rebuilding our country s national defense will be a part of this year s Congressional agenda. Still recovering from years of military funding cuts, America continues to face challenges with readiness shortfalls, the need for modernization and improving the quality of life for military personnel and their families. Last year, Congress took strong steps in that direction by passing a military pay raise and increasing funding for military readiness. However, years of military cuts cannot be turned around in one year. Congress will also consider meaningful tax relief that eases the peacetime-high tax burden now burdening working Americans.
American families deserve to keep more of their own hard-earned money.
In this era of surpluses as far as the eye can see, high taxes are unacceptable. President Clinton turned his back on middle class Americans last year, vetoing a tax bill that would have lowered the income tax rate, eliminated the death tax, reduced the marriage penalty and encouraged saving, industry and education. But Congress will not give up and will pass major tax relief again this year. Achieving these goals will be no easy task, but House Republicans are as determined as ever to make them a reality for America s families and small businesses. These are common sense initiatives that only serve to strengthen this country s commitment to the values that have made it so great.