Barbara Boxer: “I realize why the Senator started out with the word ``fairness'' and why this bill is so unfair. I wish to just ask one…”

“I realize why the Senator started out with the word ``fairness'' and why this bill is so unfair. I wish to just ask one question. I wonder if my friend has seen the Washington Post analysis of this particular tax bill entitled ``Businesses Poised To Benefit From Bills.'' I wanted to point out an irony and see if my friend doesn't agree, the irony of calling this a small business bill; in other words, they have hollowed out the small business bill. But let's look at what they have done. And I will be very brief, but I think it is important. It says, ``From the National Association of Broadcasters and defense contractors to the racetrack industry, to tobacco companies, business interests are poised to reap large benefits from the small print of Republican-backed bills that were moving through Congress yesterday.'' Looking at several of the bills, it goes on to say--and again I will be brief--``But those benefits pale''--those benefits pale--``in comparison with the ones lavished on medical care providers,'' the HMOs. Those pale. So they gave to the tobacco industry; they gave to the defense contractors; they gave to the broadcasters. We know how they are all suffering. And those benefits pale in comparison with what they gave to the HMOs. So when the Vice President is out there talking about fairness and talking about fighting for people, this proves his point.”