[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 102 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H5410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ROBIN HOOD IN REVERSE

  (Mr. WYNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, it appears as though the Republicans are going 
to treat us to another episode of their favorite show, Robin Hood in 
reverse. He takes from the poor and the middle class to give to the 
rich. This is also known by the term ``tax relief for the rich.'' The 
issue is not whether there ought to be a tax refund. The issue is tax 
fairness.
  If you look at the Republican tax package, 60 percent of the tax 
benefits go to the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans. They give 
millionaires $12,000 to $24,000 in tax relief through estate taxes and 
indexed capital gains, but when we suggest that teachers, bus drivers, 
entry-level policemen ought to get a child tax credit, they have the 
audacity to say that is welfare. No, that is tax fairness.
  The working people, the working middle class in America ought to get 
the lion's share of the tax relief, not the wealthy millionaires who 
are collecting large capital gains tax breaks.
  We believe in tax fairness. The Democrats are advocating a child tax 
credit for everyone. When they had their Contract on America, they said 
it was a good idea: Give working America a tax break. They reneged on 
that promise. Promises made, promises broken.

                          ____________________