Mike Honda: “I rise tonight to protest the Republicans' tax cut bill, the Leave 12 Million Children Behind Act. Soon after this tax…”

“I rise tonight to protest the Republicans' tax cut bill, the Leave 12 Million Children Behind Act. Soon after this tax bill was passed, it was discovered that the Republicans deliberately chose to drop a provision that would have helped 12 million children living in moderate-income working families. Among these children left behind are 1 million children of active duty military. Mr. Speaker, let me make this clear. Leaving 12 million children behind was not a last-minute oversight; it was a deliberate decision by the Republicans. As our Nation struggles through a Bush recession, Congress has a responsibility to do what is right for families who may need a little extra help, and it is obvious that the Republicans are shirking this responsibility. The most shocking part of the Republican decision is its impact on families in the military. Many enlisted men and women make far less than $26,000 per year. As a result, their children will not be eligible for the family tax credit. It is clear from this callous denial of assistance that the Republicans' priorities lie with tax cuts for the wealthy, not with the livelihoods of working families and our servicemen and women in the armed services. These priorities are clearly out of step with the American people. Mr. Speaker, Democrats are working to help these families.”