[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REINTRODUCTION OF ENDING TAX BREAKS FOR DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007 AND 
          THE FAIR PLAY-EQUAL ACCESS IN MEMBERSHIP RESOLUTION

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing a 
bill to end government subsidies for private clubs that discriminate 
against women. Ending Tax Breaks for Discrimination Act of 2007 makes 
it illegal to take income tax deductions for expenses at clubs with 
``No Women Allowed'' membership policies. It is wrong for corporations 
to write-off big expenditures for entertainment, meetings and 
advertising at clubs that keep women out while they target women 
consumers' pocketbooks. This bill will put an end to that. With the 
Masters Golf Tournament coming up this Monday, April 2nd, now is the 
time to address these discriminatory practices.
  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 \1/2\ 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 juniors and seniors how to make the 
most of country club memberships. If you can't play golf, join the 
``guys'' after a round, and get the same elite club bonus package from 
your employer that your male counterparts can, you're clearly missing 
out.
  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''.
  Let me be clear, I like big business, but women must be equal 
players. Legitimate tax deductions should continue, but when these 
deductions support clubs that bar women as equal partners, equal 
players, equal earners--they are not legitimate. This bill is past due. 
The time for discrimination is over.
  I am also reintroducing a resolution, the Fair Play-Equal Access in 
Membership Resolution, which expresses the sense of the Congress that 
neither the President, the Vice President, nor any Member of Congress, 
justice or judge of the United States, or political appointee in the 
executive branch of the Government should belong to a club that 
discriminates on the basis of sex or race. It's common sense that our 
leaders and lawmakers should not belong to clubs that discriminate . . 
. period.

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