Mike Levin: “the choices we make define us, our priorities, and our values. The Obey resolution before the House today gives members…”

“the choices we make define us, our priorities, and our values. The Obey resolution before the House today gives members of Congress the clearest choice possible. Our vote on this measure today will speak volumes about our priorities and values and what we stand for as representatives in the People's House. Four years ago, the President came before Congress and proposed a sweeping tax cut. Citing a large projected surplus in the budget over ten years, the President said that he was here to claim a refund on behalf of the American people. I voted against the President's proposal for two key reasons: The lion's share of tax relief in the President's plan goes to the very richest households in America, instead of the middle-income families I represent. Indeed, millionaires receive annual tax cuts averaging over $120,000, while middle-income families receive annual tax cuts averaging somewhere between $317 and $1,186 a year. The other reason I voted against the President's tax plan is because it relied on improbable blue-sky economic forecasts that left no margin for error. As we have seen, the economy has not performed as well as the Administration predicted. The tax plan has left this nation with insufficient resources to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the improvements needed in this country's homeland security in the aftermath of 9-11.”