[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H4228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TAX CUTS SHOULD TARGET WORKING FAMILIES

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this week Congress will be voting on two 
very different tax proposals, a Republican bill and a Democratic bill. 
As we debate the substance of these bills, we must answer a very simple 
question: Who benefits?
  The Republican tax bill directs nearly 60 percent of its benefits to 
the top 5 percent of all taxpayers, those with an average income of 
$250,000. At the same time, the GOP bill eliminates the minimum tax 
that corporations are required to pay, denies the per-child tax credit 
to 15 million working families, and skimps on tax relief for college 
students. The New York Times has noted that the Republican bill 
``barely eases the strain on middle-class families, while showering the 
rich with benefits.''
  I support the Democratic alternative tax cut. The Democratic tax cut 
targets nearly three-fourths of its benefits to middle-income working 
families, those with incomes less than $58,000 per year. Most 
important, it provides the full $1,500 education tax credit that 
President Clinton has requested.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to abandon their massive 
windfall for the wealthy, and to target tax cuts to the middle-income 
working families who deserve a break.

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