Sylvester Turner: “this motion to recommit reports the bill back to the committee with the suggestion that it be amended to reduce the tax…”

“this motion to recommit reports the bill back to the committee with the suggestion that it be amended to reduce the tax cut provisions in an amendment necessary to fund the war on terrorism and to protect the public safety. It provides that the legislation that comes back should be temporary and fully offset in the Internal Revenue Code over the next 10 years, and it provides for assistance to workers who lost their jobs and health insurance coverage, and to businesses affected by the economic circumstances following the occurrence of September 11. As has been nobly demonstrated throughout the history of this country, Americans are willing to pay for the cost of preserving our freedom during time of war. The investment that will be required to win this war and protect the safety of American citizens who this very day have reason to fear the very opening of their mail is going to cost billions of dollars. Are we as a Congress going to ask the next generation to pay for a war that we must now wage? Will we ask young men and women in uniform to risk their lives to fight against terrorism without providing them the very best in equipment and training this Nation can provide? Will we risk the safety of every American citizen by failing to aggressively address the safety and security needs of this country? The answer is clearly no. None of us would be for those things. That is why funding this war and funding public safety must take priority over tax cuts.”