Andy Harris: “I remain amazed at revisionist history which continues to accompany arguments against this visionary jobs and growth…”

“I remain amazed at revisionist history which continues to accompany arguments against this visionary jobs and growth package. We continue to hear accusations that the President's 2001 economic plan has not worked. Against what benchmark are we evaluating the success of this policy? President Bush inherited a speculative bubble that had burst in the Clinton-Gore recession when this body passed that plan. September 11, of course, worsened our economic outlook even more dramatically. What was the result, then, of the President's 2001 economic plan? A potential deep depression became one of the shortest recessions on record. The economy is growing again, yet the American people continue to fear for their own economic security and for the dreams they nurture for their children and grandchildren. The recovery remains sluggish, because the temporary nature of the 2001 tax cuts has restrained businesses from fully returning to the investment and growth mode. An unpredictable and ever-changing Federal tax policy is inimical to the long-term, predictable model that businesses require. Thus, this year's job and growth package finishes the job that President Bush and Congress began in 2001.”