"Like most Americans, taxes are on my mind today. We never really enjoy paying taxes, but the tax burden placed on American families and businesses is especially heavy when we face increased health care costs, rising prices for energy and groceries, and economic uncertainty. Americans work more than four months a year just to pay their tax bills. In fact, the average American family pays more in taxes than it spends on food, shelter and clothing combined. Today more than ever, hard-working Americans need and deserve tax relief.

"Our current tax code is full of complicated formulas and obscure rules that cause confusion and procrastination. Fundamentally reforming the tax code, even throwing out the current code and replacing it with a simpler, fairer tax, is necessary to bring meaningful tax relief to the citizens of Idaho. But while we work to devise a smaller, leaner and more efficient tax code, I believe it is crucial that Congress acts now to preserve the tax relief for America’s hard-working individuals, families, and businesses passed in 2001 and 2003.

"Tax relief gives back to Americans their own money, earned through hard work and sacrifice, and allows them the dignity of investing their money as they think best. Moreover, tax relief encourages business investment, produces job growth, and, simply put, creates a more prosperous America that is better able to address the needs of its citizens.

"As Americans face economic uncertainty, it would be irresponsible to allow this tax relief to expire, but that is just what the Democrat budget for the coming year would do. As a result, couples who are married will pay more than if they were single, the child tax credit will be cut in half, the estate tax returns in full force, and each taxpayer will face a $3,000 tax increase.

"Americans should not be penalized for working hard and saving to raise their families. This is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2734, the Tax Increase Prevention Act, which would stop this massive tax increase and instead encourage job creation and hard work by providing American families and small businesses with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.

"Congress should quit talking the issue of tax reform to death and get on with the job of making the tax code simple, transparent, and fair. While we look at the big picture, we must also focus on tax relief in the short term. As Americans head to the mailbox to send in their tax forms before today’s deadline, I am working to make sure that Americans can continue to count on this important tax relief for years to come."