( Washington D.C.) - Congressman Mac Thornberry today announced his support of several measures to improve the way the federal government collects and spends taxpayer dollars.

Cosponsoring or introducing five legislative proposals, Thornberry called it a "common sense package that would significantly improve accountability for federal spending."

"I always try to remember that every dollar spent by the federal government is taken out of the wallet or purse of an American who earned it - a taxpayer who is also trying to feed a family, pay for health care, or send a child to college," Thornberry said.

Thornberry has become a cosponsor of the following bills:

• H.J. Res. 1, the Balanced Budget Amendment - Constitutional Amendment requiring the federal government to balance the budget annually;
• H.R. 689, the Legislative Line Item Veto Act - Allows the President to propose wasteful earmarks for elimination with the up or down approval of Congress;
• H.R. 510, the Tax Code Termination Act - Sunsets the entire federal tax code; forcing Congress to debate and act upon a new tax code that is fairer and more equitable;
• H.R. 411 - Permanently extends successful 2001 and 2003 tax relief measures like the teacher tax credit, child tax credit, state sales tax credit, and marriage penalty relief;

In addition, Thornberry has introduced H.R. 1586, a bill to permanently repeal the death tax.

In a tax bill passed by Congress in 2001, the death tax is phased-out over a number of years. By 2010, the tax will be eliminated. Unfortunately the 2001 measure is only applicable for 10 years. In 2011, without further action, the death tax will resume at its pre-2001 level. Thornberry's legislation would repeal the death tax permanently.

"We want to encourage people to work hard, save, and leave something for their children to build a better life. The death tax cuts against the American dream and is especially hard on farmers, ranchers, and small business owners. It is wrong, and it should go away - permanently."

In the next two weeks Congress is scheduled to debate and vote on the federal budget for the next fiscal year. "As we debate collecting and then spending $3 trillion dollars next year, we should try to make real improvements in the way the federal government taxes and spends taxpayer dollars. These are significant and needed common sense steps toward more responsible and accountable government," said Thornberry.

-30-