Ernest Istook: “Mr. Chairman, people are easily confused about what we are talking about here. And it is a very strange amendment that…”

“Mr. Chairman, people are easily confused about what we are talking about here. And it is a very strange amendment that is being offered because, frankly, the amendment does not really do anything. It is an opportunity for people to get up and speak, but I will read, Mr. Chairman, what the text of the amendment says. It says: Take the dollar amount on page 67, line 23 and first reduce it by $75 million and then increase it by $75 million. Well, the net effect of that is zero. The amendment makes no change in the amount of the money in the bill for the IRS to enforce the tax laws. No change whatsoever. It is simply an opportunity for people to get up and talk about it. It deserves to be opposed as something that is senseless and, for that matter, that blocks reform. Because although it is labeled as a, quote, tax credit, the EITC, earned income tax credit, is not a tax credit program. It is an assistance program designed for people with low income that says you tell us how much you made, and if it is not enough we are going to send you a check. It is a public assistance program.”