Washington, D.C. – During debate on the Democrats’ Tax and Spend bill, which will kill jobs and reduce wages, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) warned of the consequences of their out of control spending. “Democrats – more than any other majority in history – are addicted to spending other people’s money,” McCarthy said. “Regardless of what we as a country can afford.”
Remarks as prepared are below, or you may watch online here.
“Madame Speaker – Today, the People’s House should be working to answer our country’s call to address the rising price of gas, groceries, and just about everything else that Americans buy.
“Instead, moments from now, we will take up the most misguided and tone deaf bill in this Chamber’s 232 year history.
“Democrats – more than any other majority in history – are addicted to spending other people’s money, regardless of what we as a country can afford.
“They started this Congress with trillions in wasteful spending that caused runaway inflation.
“Now, they are choosing to end the session by spending half-a-trillion dollars more of your money, raising taxes on the middle class, and giving handouts to their liberal allies.
“Unlike most of the Democrats, I’ve read this bill past the title. And the facts about this bill are astonishing.
“It sends $27 billion dollars to a fraudulent ‘national climate bank.’ That’s triple the size of the EPA’s current annual budget.
“Along with that slush fund, it hands out tax credits like candy, with no accountability.
“But when it comes to natural gas, which heats our homes and cooks our food, it raises your taxes. To fund their socialist scams, your energy prices will now go through the roof.
“And don’t expect drug prices to come down, either.
“This bill would cut treatments and hinder new cures by giving bureaucrats the power to decide what drugs seniors can access. It reduces your options and raises your costs.
“Passing this bill today means more expensive bills for Americans tomorrow. And anyone who says otherwise isn’t telling the truth.
“But of all the bad parts of this 700-page bill, the massive expansion of the IRS is the most chilling.
“Currently, the IRS has almost 80,000 employees, 4,600 guns, and 5 million rounds of ammunition.
“Democrats want to DOUBLE its already massive size – spending $80 billion of your money to hire an army of 87,000 new IRS agents.
“But while this bill doubles the number of IRS personnel, it does not expand due process protections for the American people.
“Worse, it includes no income floor on who can be audited.
“Based on past numbers, we know this would mean 710,000 new audits for people who make under $75,000.
“It costs individuals thousands of dollars in attorneys fees and compliance costs to be audited by the IRS.
“Imagine what you do with an extra $10,000 a year. Imagine how much better you could have used it than the federal government.
“That’s how Democrats pay for their pet projects! Your pocketbook is their plan to fund more inflationary spending.
“This is a trainwreck just waiting to happen.
“And with its new power, the IRS will snoop around in your bank account, your Venmo, your small business. Then, the government will shake you down for every last cent.
“In light of this week’s events, let me ask: do we really trust this administration and this IRS to be fair? To not abuse their power?
“I hope that I’m wrong, but history doesn’t lie.
“I’ve watched Democrats weaponize the government before, and I don’t trust them now.
“Madame Speaker – Mark my words – long after the headlines of this week fade, we will look back on this day and this bill as the one that broke the camel’s back.
“Let me tell you about the future that Democrats want for America – the future that we can expect if this bill passes:
“When wealthy Americans are getting tax breaks to buy luxury cars, but you can’t afford to even fill up your tank – blame this bill and blame the Democrats.
“When stores shelves are empty because more American manufacturers have gone under – blame this bill and blame the Democrats.
“When government agents are knocking on your door and threatening your business – blame this bill and blame the Democrats.
“And when your loved ones are left without the cures they need to fight a rare disease – blame this bill and blame the Democrats.
“My friends, that is the choice before us today.
“A vote for this bill is a vote to help the well-connected get further and further ahead, while leaving the needs of hardworking American families behind.
“Yet you could be forgiven for not understanding the gravity of today’s vote.
“If Democrats really want to raise taxes on Americans during a recession, that’s their choice.
“But if you want to vote yes, you should at least have the courage and decency to show up and do it in person.
“Yet Speaker Pelosi extended proxy voting again on Wednesday – allowing Democrats to hide their faces and vote to take your money from the comfort of their summer vacations.
“Earlier today, we had 80 Democrats use a proxy vote. And as we approach the final vote on this bill, I expect that number will increase.
“If you think about it, that’s the story of this Democrat Majority – they will destroy our economy and mortgage your future, but can’t be personally bothered to make the trip to D.C. to do their jobs.
“What a disgrace.
“I urge all my colleagues to reject this out-of-touch bill.
“Reject the crushing new taxes.
“Reject the ballooning of government.
“Reject the spending on things we don’t need with money we don’t have.
“But most of all, I urge my colleagues to remember this day. Remember this day – because it will be the last time the House will operate so recklessly and irresponsibly.
“Madame Speaker – When I handed the gavel to Speaker Pelosi last year, I said that ‘a House distracted cannot govern.’
“Today, as this Majority jams through yet another partisan spending spree, it is clear to me that ‘an absent House cannot lead.’
“I trust the American people. I know it is the People who will render the ultimate verdict on today’s actions.
“And when they do, 87 days from now, my Democrat colleagues will have only themselves to blame.
“I yield back.”