Pete Stark: “Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out, to my children and to anybody who is paying attention to this debate, that the…”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out, to my children and to anybody who is paying attention to this debate, that the Republican leadership is doing it once again. They would rather give a substantial tax break to America's wealthiest than provide a Medicare drug benefit for all seniors. This is a package of irresponsible, excessive tax breaks. Worse than that, it is a hoax. Little happens for 10 years. Actually, we gave the Republicans on the Committee on Ways and Means a chance to put their votes where their mouths are and vote to make this effective this year. The gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English), and all of the Republicans voted no. They had a chance to make this effective right now. Instead, they wait for 10 years and then the cost clocks in just at a time when we will have baby boomers needing Medicare and Social Security and just at a time when that money will not be available. It is interesting, and I have got to warn those who expect that next year their estates will be exempted, because they are in for a big surprise. Forty-three thousand Americans, less than 1 percent of all the taxpayers, will benefit from this Republican hoax.”