[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 154 (Wednesday, October 29, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9986-H9987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ARMED FORCES TAX FAIRNESS BILL

  (Mr. EDWARDS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, it is outrageous, it is unbelievable, but 
it is true. The House Republican leadership has kept at the Speaker's 
desk, since March of this year, the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Bill. 
Several months ago, they said we could afford to give a $230,000 tax 
break to American citizens living safely here at home making $1

[[Page H9987]]

million in dividend income; yet the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) 
and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) say we cannot afford to 
provide modest tax help to brave service men and women, many of whom 
are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  Yesterday, the leadership said we had time to rename three post 
offices around the country; yet we have not had the time to consider 
the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act. Why? Because it is paid for by 
closing the Benedict Arnold loophole that lets American citizens 
renounce their citizenship to keep from paying taxes.
  It is shameful the Republican leadership seems to be more interested 
in protecting Benedict Arnolds than in helping our service men and 
women.

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