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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Daschle, Pelosi: President Must Take Immediate Action to Expand Child Tax Credit
Washington, D.C. -- With President Bush’s announcement that he hopes to sign legislation soon to expand the child tax credit to 12 million working and military families, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today sent the President a letter calling on him to intervene immediately with House Republican leaders who are blocking consideration of the bill.
The following is the full text of the letter sent by Senator Daschle and Congresswoman Pelosi:
June 9, 2003
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Thank you for expressing your support for expanding the child tax credit. We couldn’t agree more strongly that Congress must quickly pass this legislation for your signature.
Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives is blocking consideration of this vital legislation. Your immediate intervention with House Republicans is required to ensure that the working and military families of 12 million children are made eligible for the child tax credit. These families need the money today, but this tax relief will not be made available to them unless you personally urge the Republican Leadership to pass this extension immediately.
While passing a tax cut bill that gives nearly $100,000 in annual tax breaks to those earning more than $1 million a year, Republicans in Congress decided last month that millions of working families should be left out, including many of our young men and women returning from combat in Iraq. Because unfair limits were placed on the amount that low-income families can receive from the child tax credit, 12 million children, including nearly one in five children of active duty military personnel, are excluded. These families work hard to make ends meet, and they pay taxes just like everyone else.
Putting money into the hands of working and military families will help increase demand in our economy, creating jobs and stimulating investment. Because of the economic benefits and the fact it was the right thing to do, the bill passed by a vote of 94-2 in the Senate last week.
But House Republicans continue to oppose this tax relief, refusing to bring it to the floor of the House. Asking millions of working families, who need the child tax credit to help make ends meet in this stagnant economy, to sacrifice in order to pay for additional tax breaks for the wealthy is not right.
We urge you to take immediate action so we can extend the child tax credit this week.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader
Tom Daschle, Senate Democratic Leader
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
