Howard Dean's Statement on Frist Push for Estate Tax
U.S. Newswire
Democratic
National Committee Chairman Howard Dean released the following
statement in response to reports that Republican Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist will push for a vote on Repealing the Estate Tax when the
Senate returns on Tuesday:
“Countless
thousands of our fellow Americans throughout the Gulf Coast region
continue to suffer in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. While some
have begun the painful task of rebuilding their lives and coping with
the unfathomable loss, so many still await help. And the cost of this
disaster in human and material terms remains unknown.
“It's
simply irresponsible for Senator Frist and Ken Mehlman to even think
about spending our tax dollars on breaks for millionaires at a time
when our top priority must be to ensure we have the resources needed to
address the long and short term costs associated with rescue, recovery,
and rebuilding in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Not to mention the
vital lesson we learned this
week about the deadly cost of diverting funds at the expense of the
safety of the American people. These costs also come at a time when our
nation faces a massive deficit, and mounting costs in the ongoing war
in Iraq.
“There is also a question of values, priorities and choices. Tens of thousands
of our fellow Americans have literally lost everything; we have a
responsibility to put their needs first. Senator Frist should join
Democrats in Congress who understand that our priority as a nation must
be to focus our energy and resources on determining how we help the
victims begin to rebuild their lives and addressing the long term
issues we face as a nation in the aftermath of Katrina.
“Perhaps
seeing the images on television was not enough this time for Senator
Frist and having now had the chance to actually look some of the
victims in the eye, he'll be able to better diagnose the situation, get
his priorities straight and recognize that the victims of this crisis,
and providing the resources to keep our people safe in the future, must
be our highest priorities.”
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