Pete Stark: “I rise today to oppose H.R. 2, which benefits only the wealthy among us. It is interesting as this bill becomes law my…”

“I rise today to oppose H.R. 2, which benefits only the wealthy among us. It is interesting as this bill becomes law my 2003 tax cut will be equal to my daughter's entire annual income as a fifth grade teacher in California, while she will receive less than $8 a week as a tax cut, and that is wrong. Republicans are throwing $550 billion down the drain to the richest 5 percent among us. Let us take a moment to see who loses. Nearly 9 million unemployed workers are going to lose out, because they will get no unemployment benefits. Our children will lose out, because they will be left behind and they will get no education benefits. America's seniors will see Medicare and Social Security weakened. Low income mothers and children who depend on Medicaid and CHIP for their health care will lose out because these programs are being slashed. Why are Republicans pursuing this tax cut? They hate poor people.”