[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12335]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IT IS UP TO CONGRESS TO BE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today the House took several 
measures that I believe it is important for the American people to 
understand. Of course, it sounds like the estate tax potential has 
great merit for many who believe that they are either engaged in family 
farming or small businesses. Might I say that the existing relief under 
estate tax actually gives those whose estates are $7 million absolute 
relief.
  So at this time when we are at war, to give another $800 billion 
giveaway really is unreasonable. And, therefore, even though I have in 
the past supported the estate tax, this is not the time. And the reason 
is because, of course, the minimum wage has not been raised for the 
past 6 years. In fact, it is at a rate that shows that it is as low as 
it was 50 years ago in today's dollars. When are we going to see relief 
for those single parents and hard-working families who can barely make 
ends meet on $5.15?
  Then we want to give the President a line item veto, which has 
already proven to be unconstitutional.
  It is up to this Congress to be fiscally conservative, not rely on an 
unconstitutional law such as line item veto.

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