Paul Coverdell: “I had an interesting presentation here this morning, built around what apparently is going to be a Presidential campaign…”

“I had an interesting presentation here this morning, built around what apparently is going to be a Presidential campaign theme, putting families first. Mr. President, we cannot but be reminded of a book written by President Clinton and Vice President Gore which was a prelude to the 1992 Presidential campaign. The book, Mr. President, was entitled ``Putting People First,'' very, very familiar to this new theme we have heard here this morning, putting families first. I will read from this publication, ``Putting People First,'' now almost some 4 years old, a very interesting piece on page 15 of ``Putting People First.'' It says, ``Middle-class tax fairness.'' Now, this was the President's ``contract with America,'' putting people first. He says, ``Middle-class tax fairness: We will lower the tax burden on middle-class Americans by asking the very wealthy to pay their fair share.'' I repeat, ``We will lower the tax burden on middle-class Americans * * * Middle-class taxpayers will have a choice between a children's tax credit or a significant reduction in their income tax rate.'' It goes on to say, on page 101 ``Treat families right,'' in this book entitled ``Put People First.'' It says, ``Grant additional tax relief to families with children.''”