NAN A. S. HAYWORTH: “I think my colleague from California, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, for this time and as always, I…”

“I think my colleague from California, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, for this time and as always, I listened with interest to my good friend from New York, and I think it illustrates some very real differences. Tax relief should not be partisan. And part of what we actually do here in the people's House is practice the art of the possible. And so before this House today we have much-needed tax relief. The alternative minimum tax, or AMT, has become Uncle Sam's ATM. Too much, too often have we seen the Federal Government reach into the pockets of middle-income taxpayers, and with this legislation today, we put a stop to using the AMT as Uncle Sam's ATM. That is something that the American people want to see. And there is other thoughtful tax relief here because, in stark contrast to the bleak picture painted by my friends on the other side of the aisle, we understand that there is no reason to penalize people who succeed. By extending the 15 percent rate on dividend and capital gains taxes through 2010 and extending the increased small business expensing through 2009, we are not punishing people for succeeding. That is vital. Is it important to Wall Street? Yeah, Mr. Speaker, it is important to Wall Street. But it is important to Main Street and it is important to your street, Mr. Speaker, every street in this Union, every neighborhood, because it helps to generate wealth and investment and that is what we are about here.…”