Doris Matsui: “as we begin debate on additional tax cuts-- H.R. 4297--we must consider them in the larger context of the challenges…”

“as we begin debate on additional tax cuts-- H.R. 4297--we must consider them in the larger context of the challenges this nation is facing and the impact these tax cuts will have, on our ability to face these challenges as well as future challenges. Our decisions must always prioritize protecting the future of this nation for our children and their children. Over the Thanksgiving recess, I participated in a program in my district that sought to increase early literacy by incorporating reading into doctors' visits. During my visit, I read to these children--who are about my granddaughter Anna's age--about ``Clifford the Big Red Dog.'' It is truly a wonderful program, and as I recall the joy and animation on each child's face with every turn of the page, I am reminded just how important the decisions we make today are . . . because we are merely stewards of this nation for them--and we must act as such. Are we being wise stewards in choosing to pass another tax cut--on top of the nearly $2 trillion in cuts we have already passed? Congress has already transformed a $5.6 trillion surplus into a more than $3 trillion debt. Yet, we are still financing the war in Iraq and the reconstruction from the war in Afghanistan. Regardless of your view on our nation's military policy over the past five years--we must pay for the wars and their subsequent cleanup, yet to date they have been financed by deficit spending.…”