Charles W. Stenholm: “I oppose this bill precisely for the reasons the gentleman who just spoke says we ought to support it. There is no death…”

“I oppose this bill precisely for the reasons the gentleman who just spoke says we ought to support it. There is no death tax relief in this bill, and after spending most of the year in here knowing that we could very well have a death tax relief for small businesses, it is not in this bill. There is no marriage tax penalty relief anywhere in this bill, and we spent considerable time talking about that. This bill has the wrong priorities on Medicare relief. I represent a district that is very rural. My rural hospitals need considerably more help than what those who wrote the provisions in this bill are suggesting. The bill also undermines welfare reform by dropping the provision extending transitional Medicaid. We are increasing discretionary spending at a record rate, cutting taxes by $300 billion without dealing with the estate tax, marriage penalty, or enacting other legislation to eliminate the national debt; and it is the wrong thing to do today. Mr. Speaker, we must recognize we have to set priorities. The priorities of the majority are not the priorities of this Member. I urge a 'no' vote on this bill. I oppose this conference report because it has the wrong priorities in using our limited resources. My priorities are eliminating the national debt, providing relief from the estate tax and marriage penalty, beginning a National Energy Policy, and giving assistance to rural hospitals and other health care providers.”