December 08, 2005
“Today the Republican majority in this House once again stood with the wealthiest Americans and once again turned their back on middle class and poor Americans.
“There can be no doubt about the morally bankrupt Republican priorities their budget calls for: big tax cuts for the wealthy and steep cuts in critical services for the middle class and the poor.
“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pulled back the curtain and showed the nation and the world the faces of poverty in this country - poverty that has increased under this administration’s policies of neglect.
“That is why it is particularly morally reprehensible that at this moment when the victims of Katrina and Rita need our help the most, the Republican majority would take this opportunity to assault the ‘least among us’ in order to provide even more give-aways for those with the most among us.
“Indeed, it truly stunning that the Republicans have no moral hesitation slashing healthcare services for the poor, food security programs, and student loan assistance, in order to order to pay for tax cuts on capital gains and dividends that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans. What’s more, they have know shame knowing that all of these gifts to the rich will only saddle future generations with tens of billions in debt.
“I’m outraged at this betrayal of the poor and of the abandonment of the values so many claim to profess.
“I ask my colleagues to join me in standing with the majority of Americans. I ask my colleagues to stand with the middle class Americans and our most vulnerable Americans and reject the Republican majority’s immoral tax giveaway. Don’t tell me we can’t do better than this.”
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Barbara Lee’s Statement on GOP Tax Cut Bill
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House of Representatives voted 234-197 to pass a Republican tax bill that included $56 billion in tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest one percent of Americans. As part of the budget reconciliation process, the House already voted on a GOP measure to cut more than $50 billion from education, healthcare, foster care, child support and a host of other vital social programs. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) voted against the bill. The following is her statement:“Today the Republican majority in this House once again stood with the wealthiest Americans and once again turned their back on middle class and poor Americans.
“There can be no doubt about the morally bankrupt Republican priorities their budget calls for: big tax cuts for the wealthy and steep cuts in critical services for the middle class and the poor.
“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pulled back the curtain and showed the nation and the world the faces of poverty in this country - poverty that has increased under this administration’s policies of neglect.
“That is why it is particularly morally reprehensible that at this moment when the victims of Katrina and Rita need our help the most, the Republican majority would take this opportunity to assault the ‘least among us’ in order to provide even more give-aways for those with the most among us.
“Indeed, it truly stunning that the Republicans have no moral hesitation slashing healthcare services for the poor, food security programs, and student loan assistance, in order to order to pay for tax cuts on capital gains and dividends that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans. What’s more, they have know shame knowing that all of these gifts to the rich will only saddle future generations with tens of billions in debt.
“I’m outraged at this betrayal of the poor and of the abandonment of the values so many claim to profess.
“I ask my colleagues to join me in standing with the majority of Americans. I ask my colleagues to stand with the middle class Americans and our most vulnerable Americans and reject the Republican majority’s immoral tax giveaway. Don’t tell me we can’t do better than this.”