For Immediate Release                                                   Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
May 9, 2003

NapolitanoOpposes GOP Tax Cut for the Wealthiest

Congresswoman Napolitano (D-CA38) today voted against a Republican tax cut package that geared benefits to the wealthiest Americans.  “American workers are losing jobs and struggling to feed their families.  Instead of helping them with tax relief geared toward middle and lower income families and an extension of unemployment benefits, Republicans have chosen to disregard their needs and give the wealthiest another enormous tax cut,” stated the Congresswoman.

Earlier this week, the Congresswoman requested a report from the House Government Reform Committee detailing how the tax cut proposal would impact the constituents of the 38^th Congressional District.  “The centerpiece of the proposal is a $276 billion cut in dividends and capital gains taxes.  Eighty-seven percent of taxpayers in my district would receive an average tax savings of only $51 from the capital gains and dividend tax cut. In fact, over 70% of the taxpayers in my district would receive no benefit at all from this tax cut,” Napolitano explained.

The Congresswoman also noted that the Republican bill does nothing to create jobs new jobs now.  “Unemployment in many of the cities I represent is even higher than the national average.  In Pomona, my newest and largest city, the unemployment rate is 7.8%. In Pico Rivera, it is 7.2%, in Santa Fe Springs, it is 7.4%, in the City of Industry, it is 8.1%, and in East L.A., the unemployment rate is a staggering 9.9%!  I cannot stand by and watch the my constituents lose their jobs and struggle to support their families.  I cosponsored the Democratic job creation plan, which would create more than one million new jobs this year — when we need them — and gear immediate tax relief towards middle and lower income families,” she said.

The Democratic alternative, which Republicans would not allow to be considered on the House floor, would also have provided assistance to states for homeland security, healthcare, transportation and education.  “In California we are facing a state budget crisis.  We need federal relief to help meet our needs and prevent our state taxes from being raised,” commented Napolitano.

The Republican tax cut package was passed by the House by a vote of 222 to 203.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
1609 Longworth Building          Washington, DC 20515          Phone 202-225-5256          Fax 202-225-0027		11627 East Telegraph Road, #100       Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670       Phone 562-801-2134       Fax 562-949-9144
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