We Can Do Better

Floor Speech

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress to fight for new jobs, protect the retirement security of America's seniors, and give middle class families a fair shake in this economy. Yet our efforts, the basic bricks in the foundation of a working economy, have been cast aside by my Republican colleagues.

The Republicans have sweetened the tax deal today by demanding that American taxpayers fork over $26 billion for an estate tax break that will go to about 6,600 families. I offer some perspective.

There are more than 6,600 people in Century Village, King's Point, and each of the major retirement communities I represent. There are more undergraduates at Florida Atlantic University in my district. And my teenage daughters and their high school friends are together on track to have more than 6,600 Facebook friends.

And $26 billion? 16.2 million Americans who depend on food stamps to eat could eat for a year. 3.5 million American college students at our public universities could see their tuition paid in full. And most striking, more than $175,000 could go to each of the 140,000 families whose sons and daughters are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We can do better, Mr. Speaker.

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