[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                        WE MUST PASS THIS BUDGET

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, today I rise to speak to middle-class 
families facing job loss or shrinking incomes. They may feel left out 
of the bailouts. That is why I am happy to report that the President's 
budget will help them by making the $800 Make Work Pay tax cut 
permanent; by expanding the child tax credit for millions of families 
with children; by making college more affordable by making the $2,500 
American opportunity tax credit permanent; by permanently protecting 
millions of middle-class families from being hit by the AMT; by 
expanding the earned income tax credit; by expanding the current tax 
credit for saving for retirement and providing for automatic enrollment 
in IRAs and 401(k)s; and by eliminating capital gains on small 
businesses.
  The President's budget cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans, while 
the budget invests in programs that create jobs, makes education 
affordable, and encourages clean American energy. It helps the middle 
class, which is why we must pass this budget.

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