[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     STATEMENT ON CHILD TAX CREDIT

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2003

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my deep disappointment with 
the tax bill recently signed into law by the President. While providing 
approximately $350 billion in tax cuts, this law neglects many of our 
hard-working, low-income families. At the same time that the bill 
provides tax cuts of $93,500 to the 200,000 taxpayers making over $1 
million in our country, this bill leaves behind 8 million children by 
denying their families full access to the child tax credit.
  This law fails to apply the child tax credit to some of America's 
neediest families--those earning between $10,500 and $26,625 per year. 
Of the 8 million children left behind in this tax law, 1 million live 
with parents who are on active duty service or are veterans. The 
children of our working families, especially those of our armed 
services, deserve our greatest support.
  There are approximately 16,500 military families with children at 
Fort Bliss in my district. Anxiously awaiting news about the status of 
the members of the 507th Maintenance Company in late March, these 
families understand, more than most, what it means to sacrifice for our 
nation. These are the families of the brave men and women who fight to 
defend our freedoms, and they certainly do not deserve to be left out 
of this tax cut. I urge my colleagues to pass legislation immediately 
to extend the child tax credit to families making between $10,500 and 
$26,625 a year. Let us send a message to our hard-working families that 
they count too and that we recognize their efforts.
  It is my sincere hope that we can work together to provide our hard-
working families with a fair and equitable child tax credit.

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