[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 68 (Thursday, May 8, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ON REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Linda T. Sanchez) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I am here this 
evening to talk about H.R. 2, the Republican proposed tax plan. By 
proposing H.R. 2, House Republicans are prompting a reckless tax cut 
for the wealthiest 1 percent of all Americans. Despite their efforts to 
deceive Americans, this tax cut will not create jobs or stimulate the 
economy. In California, 47 percent of taxpayers would receive less than 
$100 from the Republicans' tax plan, while the average tax cut for the 
top 1 percent of California taxpayers would be $35,940. The Republican 
proposal offers virtually no benefit to the average American. Even more 
alarming is that Republicans propose gutting critical programs that 
many Californians rely on, like Medicare, Social Security and 
education, to pay for the so-called tax cut.
  In addition, the Republicans' tax package will generate a record $1.4 
trillion deficit over the next 10 years. Imagine what we could do with 
$1.4 trillion. We could be using that amount of money to shore up our 
ailing Social Security and Medicare programs; $1.4 trillion could be 
used to assist States like California who are facing enormous budget 
deficits. This would put a halt to increases in property taxes and to 
cuts in education. If we really want to stimulate the economy, we need 
to provide tax relief for working families, like the Democratic tax 
proposal does. Republicans are showing their true values and priorities 
by giving permanent tax breaks to the very wealthy while shortchanging 
America's families.
  If my Republican colleagues have any regard for hardworking American 
families, they will heed my plea to not support H.R. 2.

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