INTRODUCING THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARY TAX REDUCTION ACT AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS’ TAX ELIMINATION ACT
Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional Website.
HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009 Ron Paul 1:1
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, today I am
pleased to introduce two pieces of legislation
to reduce taxes on senior citizens. The first
bill, the Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction
Act, repeals the 1993 tax increase on
Social Security benefits. Repealing this increase
on Social Security benefits is a good
first step toward reducing the burden imposed
by the federal government on senior citizens.
However, imposing any tax on Social Security
benefits is unfair and illogical. This is why I am
also introducing the Senior Citizens’ Tax Elimination
Act, which repeals all taxes on Social
Security benefits.
2009 Ron Paul 1:2
Since Social Security benefits are financed
with tax dollars, taxing these benefits is yet
another example of double taxation. Furthermore,
“taxing” benefits paid by the government
is merely an accounting trick, a shell
game which allows members of Congress to
reduce benefits by subterfuge. This allows
Congress to continue using the Social Security
trust fund as a means of financing other government
programs, and masks the true size of
the federal deficit.
2009 Ron Paul 1:3
Instead of imposing ridiculous taxes on senior
citizens, Congress should ensure the integrity
of the Social Security trust fund by ending
the practice of using trust fund monies for
other programs. This is why I am also introducing
the Social Security Preservation Act,
which ensures that all money in the Social Security
trust fund is spent solely on Social Security.
At a time when Congress’ inability to
control spending continues to threaten the Social
Security trust fund, the need for this legislation
has never been greater. When the government
taxes Americans to fund Social Security,
it promises the American people that the
money will be there for them when they retire.
Congress has a moral obligation to keep that
promise.
2009 Ron Paul 1:4
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I urge my
colleagues to help free senior citizens from
oppressive taxation by supporting my Senior
Citizens’ Tax Elimination Act and my Social
Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act. I also
urge my colleagues to ensure that moneys
from the Social Security trust fund are used
solely for Social Security benefits and not
wasted on frivolous government programs.
