[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1248]]
      H.R. 2418, ENDING TAX BREAKS FOR DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, welcome. Today, we're introducing a bill 
to end government subsidies for private clubs that discriminate against 
women. Ending Tax Breaks for Discrimination Act of 2003 makes it 
illegal to take income tax deductions for expenses at clubs with ``No 
Women Allowed'' membership policies. We think it's wrong for 
corporations to write-off big expenditures for entertainment, meetings 
and advertising at clubs that keep women out while they target women's 
pocketbooks. Men play and women pay.
  I am joined by my distinguished colleagues, Representative Brad 
Sherman from California, Representative Louise Slaughter from New York, 
and my friend, Martha Burk--all tireless workers in the fight for 
equality. As a matter of fact, in the early `90s Mr. Sherman, as a 
member of the California tax board, implemented this same type of 
legislation. Since then, other States, like Colorado and Kentucky, have 
followed.
  Right now, conventions and meetings come right off corporate income 
tax as legitimate business deductions, including those held at private 
clubs that discriminate. Half the price of a business lunch is 
deductible. But if you're a woman, you subsidize one-half a guy's lunch 
with your taxes, even though you can't join the club.
  The whole point is that members of these clubs get financial gains--
either indirectly through career opportunities and board appointments, 
or directly through tax deductions. Women can't get these same 
financial gains--just because they're women. Golf is so ingrained as a 
part of business success that business schools teach students how to 
make the most of club memberships--the PGA even sponsors a program 
called ``Golf: For Business and Life'' to do just that. But, if you're 
a woman and you can't get a membership, you can't play golf or get the 
same elite club bonus package from your employer that your male 
counterparts can, you're clearly missing out. Men get the membership, 
the deal, the deduction, and women get the bill.
  This bill ends deductions for advertising, travel, accommodation, and 
meals associated with these clubs. And it requires discriminatory clubs 
to print right on their receipts, ``not tax deductible''.
  When I went with Martha in April to protest male-only membership at 
Augusta National Golf Club, it was obvious that this legislation was 
the next logical step. Money talks. At Augusta, at least 10 major 
corporations, including IBM, Lucent and American Express either 
withdrew or cut back spending on advertising and corporate hospitality. 
But all the while these same companies are reaching out to sell their 
products to women.
  Mr. Sherman and I have asked the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to support 
this legislation. We're looking forward to their response. Frankly, who 
in this day and age can object to ending government subsidized sex 
discrimination?
  I like big business, but women must have a seat at the table--the 
board table. Legitimate tax deductions should continue, but when these 
deductions support clubs that bar women from becoming equal partners, 
equal players, equal earners--they are not legitimate. This bill is 
past due and the time for discrimination is over.

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