[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H12115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   OMNIBUS APPROPRIATION BILL MAY CONTAIN TAX RELIEF FOR ONE ALREADY 
                              WEALTHY MAN

  (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, every time we have one of these year-end 
omnibus appropriations bills, it always becomes sweetheart deal time.
  The Washington Times reports on its front page today that the White 
House and some Members of Congress are attempting to give a $238 
million tax break to just one man, Abe Pollin, owner of the Washington 
Wizards basketball team.
  Mr. Speaker, this tax break would help defray costs Mr. Pollin 
incurred in building the MCI Center, which he owns and from which he 
will make millions.
  The Times story says, ``The House and Senate are considering whether 
to include in an omnibus spending bill a retroactive, 5-year tax credit 
so narrowly tailored that it would benefit only Mr. Pollin . . . .''
  The Times quotes one Senate tax aide as saying, ``My jaw dropped. 
It's so bad, it's not even funny. This is just gross.''
  Mr. Speaker, if Mr. Pollin pulls off this sweetheart $238 million tax 
break, he is more of a wizard than his players. Mr. Speaker, no one 
should vote for a bill that contains an insider multimillion dollar tax 
break like this that benefits just one already very rich man.

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