Political Quotes

“this bill is really the Republican ``Tale of Two Cities.'' The best of times for some: first-class treatment for the Kenny-boys of the world. And the worst of times for others: third-class treatment for the now unemployed Enron mail room attendant. And it is a ``Tale of Two Cities'' in another way. The year 2001, a historically bad year for Enron in Houston, was a wonderful year for Enron here in Washington on tax policy in this House. Let's review the year: (1) Enron successfully gets favorable treatment in that collection of subsidies and preferences called an ``energy bill.'' (2) Enron successfully supported efforts to block an international crackdown on offshore tax havens. (3) Enron's accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, successfully opposes my bill and all legislation to crack down on abusive corporate tax shelters. And (4) Enron successfully led the coalition that deals with the centerpiece of what we are debating now, the change in the alternative minimum corporate tax. Instead of contributing a dime to the cost of the war on terrorism, Enron wanted $254 million back in a government check. That was the Republican leadership's idea--the idea of Enron's Republican allies regarding the true meaning of sacrifice--they would take while others gave. Indeed, the Secretary of the Treasury told the Ways and Means Committee only last week that he could not find a tax break that Enron asked for last year that the administration did not attempt to give them.”