[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 9 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE THAT SCHEDULED TAX RELIEF SHOULD NOT BE 
                         SUSPENDED OR REPEALED

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2002

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this 
farcical, time-wasting resolution.
  Have we no real work to do?
  We have a duty to protect our great nation in times of crisis and 
war. We do not, however, have a duty to help our Republican colleagues 
look out for their fat cat buddies through an unbalanced and, frankly, 
unfair tax cut like the one passed last year.
  The tax cut was passed; that is over. I would now, however, ask my 
colleagues to join me in opposing this ridiculous resolution today.
  I would further ask that my colleagues join me in cosponsoring a bill 
introduced by my good friend from Massachusetts, Representative Frank. 
His bill, H.R. 2935, would repeal the reduction in the top income tax 
rate. This would add about $100 billion to federal revenue over the 
next 10 years. All of this money would go into the Social Security and 
Medicare Trust Funds, so we can keep our commitment to our seniors.
  Mr. Speaker, the budget submitted by President Bush this week 
proposes a budget deficit every year for the next decade. This means a 
$1.5 trillion budget deficit over the next 10 years. The Bush tax plan 
that passed last year left too little room for error, and no room for 
unexpected events like September 11. No one in this chamber would deny 
that we need to defend our nation, but we must do so in a fiscally 
responsible manner. In addition to the threats posed by terrorism both 
at home and abroad, we face other great domestic challenges. Our kids 
are taught in dilapidated schools that are not equipped to handle 
technology that is so vital to their future. Seniors cannot afford the 
prescription drugs they so desperately need. We have no Patients' Bill 
of Rights and we must do more to protect our environment. These are 
important issues that need to be addressed before we give tax cuts to 
the fat cats. Mr. Speaker, where are our priorities?
  It was bad enough to debate this foolish policy once. I am perplexed 
as to why the GOP leadership now wants us to waste time reaffirming our 
support for this ridiculous tax scheme. I am forced to conclude that my 
Republican colleagues truly believe we have no more important work to 
do.
  I ask my colleagues to reject this resolution and to stand strong for 
fiscal responsibility.

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