[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5029-H5030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEMOCRATS MUST COME TOGETHER TO DO THE RIGHT THING: PROVIDE TAX RELIEF 
                       FOR ALL WORKING AMERICANS

  (Mr. FORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, there seems to be an unsettling frustration 
and even a palpable consternation on the other side of the House. My 
Republican colleagues do not seem to be able to accept the fact that we 
Democrats support tax relief, and tax relief for all working Americans. 
I think it is a historic moment here in this House when people on both 
sides of the aisle can come to that consensus.
  The problem or the issue or the dilemma, Mr. Speaker, is that 
Democrats seek to provide tax relief to all working Americans. I would 
agree that wealthy Americans deserve a tax cut. But do they deserve the 
bulk of the tax cut and the tax relief? The American people 
resoundingly reject that, I say to my Republican colleagues.
  We are living in a time where 80 percent of all jobs in the next 
century will require some form of computer literacy. Seventy-five 
percent of all jobs will require some form of postsecondary education. 
I would appeal to my

[[Page H5030]]

Republican colleagues that at this historic moment, as a new Member of 
Congress, let us forge a new beginning as we move into this next 
century. Let us find common ground for all working Americans.
  One would think that they would have learned from the disaster aid 
relief bill that they were wrong. One would think they would learn from 
the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight with the gentleman 
from Indiana [Mr. Burton] that they were wrong.
  Do the right thing for the American people, provide tax relief for 
working Americans. Let Democrats come together and work on behalf of 
American families.

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