[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         WHEN WE PAY DOWN THE DEBT, AMERICANS GET A REAL BONUS

  (Mr. WYNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, every summer, particularly in election years, 
Republicans run down to the well and they give us their usual, a big 
tax break, as though that were the answer to all the problems. They 
insult the intelligence of many American people.
  First, as usual, when we look behind the rhetoric, what we see is a 
tax break that basically benefits the very wealthy. But this year it is 
even worse because this is a fiscally irresponsible tax break that 
undermines our economy and creates higher deficits.
  We on the Democratic side of the aisle have an alternative. We 
believe, number one, we need long-term solutions, not short-sighted and 
short-thinking solutions. We need solutions that, number one, protect 
Social Security. We need solutions that, number two, can pay down the 
debt.
  When we pay down the debt the American people get a real bonus, they 
get lower interest rates, which helps them with buying houses and 
buying cars. That is what really matters. We need to pay down the debt, 
help families, help small businesses.
  And, third, we need to strengthen Medicare. Now, we will not hear the 
Republicans say a thing about Medicare. We can strengthen Medicare and 
provide a prescription drug benefit for our senior citizens. That is 
the long-term solution, not the short-sighted solution the Republicans 
are offering.

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