Political Quotes

“I thank Chairman Rangel for his leadership and I am proud of our work to protect 25 million American taxpayers-- including half a million people in Southeastern Pennsylvania--from the pain of the Alternative Minimum Tax. True to their record of increasing debt, the Republicans continue to say, ``there's no need to offset AMT relief because this tax was never intended to hit these people.'' But in 2001 they knew that the Bush tax cuts would increase--by 127%--the number of AMT taxpayers this year. And they consistently used these taxpayers to mask the true cost of their failed fiscal policies. We cannot ignore the consequences of these bad decisions. We are committed to reversing the Bush Administration's policy and fiscal failures. We are committed to enacting permanent--fiscally responsible--AMT relief for middle income taxpayers. And we are committed to act today to protect millions of Americans from the AMT this year without adding to the Nation's exploding debt. Mr. Speaker--given the economic downturn and financial challenges facing our families and our Nation, our constituents have the right to expect fair and responsible tax policy. Today's proposal to provide tax relief to 25 million American families by closing loopholes that benefit only the wealthiest individuals is fair, it is responsible, and it deserves passage.”