[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    BANKRUPTCY ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of the words 
of the first President of the United States, George Washington, whose 
words are worth repeating at this time: ``The willingness with which 
our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how 
justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the 
veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their 
country.''
  Republican priorities:
  Many of them talk about protecting veterans and making sure veterans 
have the support they need when returning from protecting this 
country's freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  Yesterday, the House passed H.R. 8, to make permanent the repeal of 
the estate tax. This bill will cost the American taxpayer $290 billion 
over the next ten years. The cost over the first ten years could go to 
$1 trillion.
  Let me repeat that: $1 trillion.
  That is a huge cost to all of us.
  The bill gives a tax break to the wealthiest \3/10\ of 1 percent of 
estates, while imposing a new capital gains tax on most, including 
those of small business owners and farmers.
  At the same time, the Republicans passed a budget that calls for $800 
million in cuts to the VA over the next five years.
  Clearly, the Republicans are attempting to balance the budget on the 
backs of veterans' health care, and on the backs of the widows and 
orphans of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country's 
freedom.
  Today, this same house will vote on bankruptcy legislation that does 
nothing to protect our veterans.
  These brave men and women are serving their country in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, while at home, their lives and livelihoods are going down 
the drain. Many of these people have gone into debt and the 
circumstances of their debt occurred either before, during or after 
their active duty. This bill does not help these people.

  Many of our service members--especially, the citizen soldiers of the 
Guard and Reserve forces, could face terrible financial problems 
because they do not qualify for a narrow protection of debt incurred 
while on duty if S. 256 becomes law.
  Since 9/11, approximately half a million Reservists and Guardsmen 
have been called to active duty: Some more than once. Hundreds of 
thousands of Reservists and National Guardsmen are currently activated 
in support of ongoing military operations. According to the National 
Guard, 4 out of 10 members of the National Guard and Reserve forces 
lose income when they leave their civilian jobs for active duty.
  The people of this country need to see what policies the republicans 
actually vote for. They talk the talk very well, but do not walk the 
walk or roll the roll for our veterans, who have sacrificed their 
bodies for this Nation.

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