Victor Fazio: “those of us who are fighting tooth and nail for working families are fortunate that with the strong backing of Democrats…”

“those of us who are fighting tooth and nail for working families are fortunate that with the strong backing of Democrats in this House, who stood up and opposed the Archer bill, President Clinton, as Phil Gramm has said, cleaned the clock of Republicans in these negotiations. The President and House Democrats fought for and won for families like that of Debbie and John Ellis, who live in my district in Woodland, CA. Debbie will make $29,000 this year as an office manager for the California Highway Patrol. She is the mother of two boys. Her 21-year-old is working this summer to save enough money to attend Sacramento City College this fall. Her 10-year-old, Joshua, is a fourth-grader at the Woodland Christian School. The Ellises will receive the college tax credit so their son can get his degree, and they will be eligible for the new child tax credit, which they say will be used to help them get their car repaired. The Republicans would have denied this family and millions of others just like them tax relief this year. In fact, providing tax relief for these hard working families was called, and I quote, welfare. What an insult. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Charlie Rangel, and President Clinton for hanging tough in these budget negotiations and for fighting for working families. Because of this debate, the American people know who is on their side, and I think they will remember that.”