[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 10 (Friday, February 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E123-E124]
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                         SUSPENDED OR REPEALED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. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2002

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this 
resolution on the floor this morning. H. Con. Res. 312 instructs the 
Congress to push for more tax cuts, thereby eliminating necessary funds 
to help senior citizens, families, and laid-off workers.
  My colleagues that stand on the other side of this have always 
emphasized that this Congress must put forth every effort to work 
together in a bipartisan way. We have worked together to pass such 
legislation as airline security, and H.R. 1, the ``Leave No Child 
Behind Act of 2001.'' But, Mr. Speaker, this resolution only separates 
this body along party lines. It disregards the future of our country.
  We all received a copy of the President's budget on Monday. It, among 
other things, envisions an $80 billion deficit even while proposing an 
actual decline in spending for domestic programs not related to defense 
or homeland security. How will it be possible to adhere to President 
Bush's budget? The only way is by invading Social Security and Medicare 
and cutting program funding in such important areas as education and 
agriculture.
  I did not support the President's tax cut last year because such a 
plan would have forced him to break his promise to not invade Social 
Security. Over the next 10 years, the President's budget would invade 
Social Security surpluses by approximately $1.4 trillion and invade 
Medicare surpluses by approximately $550 billion. Again, Mr. Speaker, 
this resolution disregards the future of our country. The President 
says that our current war on terrorism has cost $1 billion per month 
and is the primary reason for the deficit. We, as a nation, have 
experienced tremendous pain as a result of September 11. But our pain 
pales to the loss experienced by families of the victims. During this 
healing period, a time when they rely on our leadership to provide 
medical care,

[[Page E124]]

security, and a promise for the future, we will be turning our backs if 
we act irresponsibly and continue with the tax relief.
  The recent financial tragedy in Houston, and the alleged 
improprieties that led to the bankruptcy of energy giant Enron, demands 
that we take care of those victims who lost their entire life savings 
and benefits. We need to pass legislation that extends unemployment 
benefits to hard-working Americans that have lost their job through no 
fault of their own, who are without any income or health care. This 
would be a better use of federal funds.
  Furthermore, we must act responsibly and pass a prescription drug 
benefit plan for our seniors on Medicare. Many of these seniors are on 
fixed incomes, continuously struggling to pay their rent and put food 
on their table. The prices of prescription drugs are outrageous and we 
must work toward providing access to our seniors. Federal dollars must 
be used to help people who need it the most. If we are to serve our 
country responsibly, I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.

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