Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up

Press Release

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Washington, Oct 12 -
Allergic to NASCAR?

Recently, Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives encouraged Congressional staffers to "get immunized for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and influenza" before visiting NASCAR tracks in North Carolina and Alabama for a fact-finding mission.

As unbelievable as it sounds, this news really is true, and frankly I find it offensive. To suggest that vaccines are needed to attend NASCAR races is insulting to millions of hard-working Americans who love their country and the smell of burnt rubber.

Upon hearing the news, I invited any and all Democrat Members of Congress worried about health conditions at NASCAR events to take a personal tour of Michigan International Speedway with me so I can provide them with evidence of the world-class standards NASCAR adheres to.

Keeping the Internet Tax Free

When shoppers go to the mall, they don't pay a 20 percent tax when they walk through the door. You don't pay a tax for entering a restaurant or going to Meijer's.

Similarly, current law allows Americans to use the Internet without paying taxes, but this law expires on November 1, 2007.

If Congress allows the tax moratorium to expire, Americans could face taxes of up to 20 percent every time they access the Internet. Rather than permanently protecting the public's tax-free access to the Internet, Congressional leadership want to keep the door open for states and local governments to impose taxes in the near future.

Since Al Gore famously invented it, the Internet has revolutionized our communication, the way our children learn and the way we conduct business. I am committed to continuing this remarkable success by protecting the Internet and making it tax-free.

I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 743, the Internet Tax Freedom Act, legislation that would make the Internet tax moratorium permanent. The Internet Tax Freedom Act is widely supported by businesses and consumers.

The good news is Democrats are willing to at least negotiate on legislation that would keep the Internet tax-free for four more years. However, if Democrats are willing to extend the moratorium for four years, there is no reason not to pass a permanent Internet tax ban.

Repealing the Death Tax

This week I voted for an amendment that would fully repeal the death tax. After a lifetime of being taxed on income, sales, investments and savings, the last thing we need is to be taxed on death.

Under current law, the death tax rate will climb from 0% to 55% in 2011, and death will once again become a taxable event.

I believe when a family torch is passed from one generation to the next, there is no reason Washington should take the majority of a lifetime of work. The death tax hurts families, small business owners, farmers and investment in America.

Though this amendment did not pass, I will continue working to end the death tax.

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