[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REBUILDING CASINOS IN THE GULF COAST REGION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition 
to the inclusion of any tax breaks to rebuild the gulf coast gambling 
industry in the tax package, which may reach the House floor in the 
near future. I believe that it is an extraordinarily controversial and 
improper measure to support the casino industry with tax incentives 
paid by other Americans. I would like to commend the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) for his active role in bringing 
attention to this important issue.
  I certainly understand the need to provide general economic 
incentives for businesses to rebuild in the gulf region, which was so 
heavily devastated by the hurricanes earlier this year. I support 
efforts to encourage economic development and restore infrastructure in 
the area. However, I cannot support allowing casinos to access Federal 
tax breaks while at the same time we are proposing to achieve savings 
from a host of other governmental programs.
  If Americans were given a choice, I believe that they would prefer 
not to use limited resources to support the casinos. Prudent use of 
hard-earned taxpayer money demands that we stay focused on concerns 
such as the defense of our Nation, education of our children, health 
care for veterans, and subsistence for the poor.
  My constituents are aware of the proposal to potentially provide 
assistance to gambling interests and have let me know of their 
opposition to such an effort. Nebraskans, and Americans generally, are 
generous people, willing to help others in need. Congress, however, has 
a responsibility not to abuse this generosity by providing tax breaks 
to wealthy gambling operations which have already signaled their 
intention to rebuild in the gulf region. In fact, even without the tax 
breaks, the gambling industry has announced its plan to come back 
``bigger and better'' in the area.
  Government is an instrument of societal order, establishing 
priorities for how we choose to live. For instance, we have worked to 
reduce the marriage penalty in the tax code. We provide tax incentives 
to save for retirement. We provide tax benefits for health care, and 
there is certainly a precedent for targeting incentives toward certain 
businesses while restricting the use of tax breaks for others.

                              {time}  2000

  In fact, it would be unusual, I contend, if the government did not 
restrict these tax breaks and exclude casinos.
  As a Gulf Opportunity Zone package was under consideration, Alberto 
Lopez, Director of Strategic Communication For Harrah Entertainment, 
Incorporated, was recently quoted in The Washington Post as saying, 
``We are actually scratching our heads. We can't ever remember an 
instance of being offered a tax credit. Ever.''
  In another telling comment in the same Washington Post article, a 
gambling company official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated 
``Anything that the Federal Government can provide, obviously we'll 
take advantage of it.'' Unfortunately, these gambling conglomerates 
would be taking advantage not only of tax breaks but the generosity of 
American taxpayers as well.
  Why should all Americans be forced to prioritize casinos in the Tax 
Code? How can Congress consider providing such incentives to the multi-
billion dollar gambling industry when there are so many unmet needs in 
this Nation? Why should these incentives be considered when the 
gambling industry already plans to rebuild the casinos? To what extent 
were these casinos covered by insurance? These are a few of the 
questions that must be addressed before tax legislation reaches the 
House floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in expressing 
opposition to the inclusion of any tax breaks for gambling interests. 
Do not let the casino interests hit the jackpot through the Tax Code.

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