I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2057
To establish a national advisory referendum on a flat income tax rate, and
requiring a national vote to raise taxes at the general election of 1998.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 25, 1997
Mr. HOEKSTRA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on House Oversight
A BILL
To establish a national advisory referendum on a flat income
tax rate, and requiring a national vote to raise taxes
at the general election of 1998.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Voter Oppor-
tunity To Inform Congress Effectively on a Flat Tax and
a Cap on Tax Increases Act of 1997 (National VOICE
on a Flat Tax and Cap on Tax Increases Act of 1997)’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) the right of citizens of the United States to
vote is a fundamental right;
(2) the right of citizens of the United States to
have an effective voice in the decisionmaking proc-
esses of the Congress is grounded in the right to pe-
tition and is a fundamental part of American democ-
racy, and Congress should provide an opportunity
for citizens to express their views on important pub-
lic issues; and
(3) there is an increasing public sentiment and
demand for less taxation and a simplified tax code.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are—
(1) to give the citizens of every State the oppor-
tunity to have a voice on whether or not Congress
should adopt a flat income tax system and amend
the Constitution to require a majority vote of the
American people to raise taxes; and
(2) to conduct a national nonbinding referen-
dum on a flat tax on income and requiring a na-
tional vote on tax increases at the 1998 general elec-
tion, thereby having an opportunity to study the fea-
sibility of conducting national nonbinding referenda
on other important issues in the future.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘nonbinding referendum’’ means
the placing on the general election ballot in every
congressional district and delegate or resident com-
missioner district in 1998 the advisory questions de-
fined below, the results of which shall be properly
tabulated and certified as described herein, but
which results shall not be legally binding on any per-
son or institution;
(2) the term ‘‘advisory questions’’ means the
National Advisory Referendum on a flat tax on in-
come and requiring a national vote on tax increases,
the language of which is contained in section 4(b) of
this Act;
(3) the term ‘‘general election’’ means the elec-
tion at which Federal officers are elected in 1998;
and
(4) the term ‘‘State election agency’’ means the
official agency of each State and territory charged
with the legal responsibility for conducting general
elections within that jurisdiction.
SEC. 4. PROCEDURES FOR NATIONAL VOTER OPPORTUNITY
TO INFORM CONGRESS EFFECTIVELY ON A
FLAT TAX AND REQUIRING A NATIONAL VOTE
ON TAX INCREASES NONBINDING REFEREN-
DUM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—This Act shall have the effect of
placing on the 1998 general election ballot in every con-
gressional district, and delegate and/or resident commis-
sioner district, in the United States, the District of Colum-
bia and the territories of the United States, the advisory
questions under subsection (b).
(b) ADVISORY QUESTIONS; BALLOT TITLE AND LAN-
GUAGE.—Not later than June 30, 1998, the Clerk of the
United States House of Representatives and the Secretary
of the United States Senate shall jointly certify to the ap-
propriate State election agencies for inclusion on the 1998
general election ballot in each congressional district, the
following ballot title and questions:
‘‘NATIONAL ADVISORY REFERENDUM ON A FLAT TAX ON
INCOME AND REQUIRING A NATIONAL VOTE ON TAX
INCREASES
‘‘Question #1: Should Congress adopt a simple flat
tax rate on income?
‘‘Yes
No.