[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TAX BREAKS FOR WEALTHY IS WRONG PRIORITY

  (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, Republicans are demanding an additional $10 
to $30 billion in Medicare cuts. Why? Not to extend the life of the 
Medicare part A trust fund, not to improve the program for the 38 
million seniors and disabled who depend on it. No, the additional cuts 
proposed by the majority are needed to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.
  The new crown jewel, costing $300 billion over the next 5 years, 
involves eliminating all estate and capital gains taxes. Some tax 
relief makes sense, but only after we balance the Federal budget and 
invest in our future.
  Tax breaks for the wealthy are the wrong priority for this Congress. 
Our children must be our top priority. Children's health insurance, 
quality, affordable child care, improved education, and confronting 
drug and alcohol abuse, that is the heart of our future and ought to be 
part of our budget.

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