“The Republicans are shameless in promoting their latest Enron-like economic plan that gives to the rich and takes from the rest.  It is clear as daylight in the Bush budget.  The President robs Social Security and Medicare in order to guarantee additional, future tax breaks to the richest Americans, the special interests, and mega corporations.   His budget not only cuts job training, but also slashes funding for needed state projects like highway repair and construction.  That means fewer jobs and more people without work. 

“And the Republicans in the White House and Congress attack anyone who wants to put the tax cut for the rich on hold until we meet our critical national priorities as raising taxes.  

“Over and over, they call that a tax increase.  We are here to tell the Republicans that no matter how many times you tell that lie, it will never be true. 

“I for one would rather spend on America’s real priorities and that is why I introduced H.R. 2999, the First Things First Act.  It puts on hold about $340 billion in tax cuts that will go into effect starting in 2004 and that benefit the top of the heap until we take care of our critical national needs:
 

• Securing America and responding to September 11, including providing job training and addressing unemployment

• A Comprehensive Prescription Drug Benefit Under Medicare

• Guaranteeing Social Security and Medicare for future generations

• Hiring enough teachers to provide 21st Century learning to our children

• And attacking the affordable housing crisis in this country

“Everyone in this House is for middle and lower income tax cuts – which, by the way, benefit the wealthy as well as the economy.  But now that this Administration has presided over the disappearance of a $5 Trillion surplus, they want to go after Social Security.  Ask the American people the real question – should we sacrifice Social Security and Medicare in order to give tax cuts to make the rich even richer?  Actually, the Los Angeles Times did ask and 80% said stop the tax cut.

“The President said that everything has changed since September 11, except his top priority – giving more tax cuts to the wealthy.  It’s time to give the majority what they want and what they deserve and stop catering to the rich contributors.