[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1400
          TAX BREAK: CROWN JEWEL OF THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA

  (Mr. MARKEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the budget negotiators finally got 
to the key issue in the budget debate: whether or not we are going to 
provide a $245 billion tax break largely for the rich in this country 
as part of the 7-year balanced budget plan.
  The Republican Party considers the tax cut for the rich to be the 
crown jewel in their Contract With America, and they have promised to 
keep the Government shut down until we give this tax break to the rich. 
The crown jewel is a good metaphor, for without the tax cut for the 
rich, the contract will not sparkle, it will not shine. But it is a 
jewel at a great price. To pay it, we must cut student loans, we must 
slash Medicare, we must cut Medicaid, we must slash environmental 
programs.
  The Gingrich budget promises 7 years of milk and honey and tax breaks 
for the rich, but 7 years of financial famine and locusts for the 
working-class people of our country.

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