[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LOOKING CLOSELY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY AT THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSALS

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I applaud President Bush for setting a 
positive tone for the country and for trying to find areas of agreement 
where we can make progress. I am going to be looking closely and 
constructively at his proposals in education, prescription drugs and 
Social Security.
  While I agree with many of the priorities the President outlined, I 
am very concerned about his overall budget. It risks the fiscal 
discipline that has been important to our strong economy, and it fails 
to make the investments that our families need.
  The President's tax plan would weaken our economy, and it fails to 
provide fair and significant tax cuts for those who need it the most.
  Instead of cutting taxes for working and for middle-class families, 
the President's budget gives 43 percent of the benefit of his tax cut 
to just the top 1 percent of wage earners. If we act responsibly, we 
can have a significant tax cut for all Americans and still meet the 
Nation's other pressing needs such as education, Social Security, a 
Medicare prescription drug benefit, and national defense. The 
President's tax cut, however, makes meeting these needs impossible.
  We should be able to come together on a fiscally responsible budget 
that meets the needs of all Americans. While the President's plan does 
not meet this goal, I look forward to receiving his full budget and 
working together to do what is right for our country.

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