[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 102 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5407-H5408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CUT TAXES FOR WORKING FAMILIES

  (Mr. ROGAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important debates that will 
occur during this Congress is whether this Congress will send more 
money back to the people who work for a living and earn that money. As 
one might expect, we are hearing both sides in this debate talking 
about tax cuts.
  But let's look at the record. Republicans have controlled Congress 
for the last two Congresses. In each of those Congresses we have passed 
tax cuts for working men and women in this country.

[[Page H5408]]

  For 40 years before that, the other side controlled this Congress. 
When they began their reign in 1955, Americans paid about 10 percent of 
their income in taxes.
  Today, thanks to their pattern of continuing tax increases, for the 
first time in American history the average family spends more in taxes 
than they spend for food, clothing, and shelter combined.
  When we look at the record, this shows which party has real 
credibility on this issue. The other side fights tax cuts today by 
calling them tax cuts for the rich. Who are the so-called rich that the 
liberals refer to? They are talking about foundry workers, 
schoolteachers, machinists, and police on the beat. This is who they 
deem to be the rich. This is why they intend to deny tax cuts.
  This has to end. We have to give people back more of the money they 
have earned, and give families the freedom to spend that money on their 
children. Republicans will end the wrong-headed practice of taking 
money from working families and sending it to Washington.
  That day of financing every liberal wish list at the expense of 
working families will be over, Mr. Speaker, when the Republican tax cut 
takes effect.

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