Statement of Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono of Hawai‘i
in the U.S. House of Representatives
In Support of the Temporary Tax Relief Act

November 9, 2007

I rise in strong support of H.R. 3996, the Temporary Tax Relief Act.

 

This bill will provide 23 million American middle-class families – including more than 90,000 families in Hawai‘i – with tax relief totaling $50 billion. Without this legislation, these families will end up paying higher taxes under the alternative minimum tax (AMT).

 

Our middle class families are struggling with higher health care costs, higher college costs, higher energy costs and higher housing costs and, basically, have not been helped by the 7years of the Bush Administration. Passing this bill will provide some welcome relief for our middle class.

 

This legislation is important in promoting fairness and justice in the tax system. Why should the richest of the rich avoid among us paying their fair share in taxes? Today with this bill we are saying that individuals who earn millions of dollars on Wall Street should pay their fair share in taxes so that hard-working middle class Americans including teachers, police officers and firefighters, won’t have to pay more than their fair share.

 

The bottom line is, without this bill, 23 million families will have a tax increase. With this bill, they will be spared from paying more under the AMT.

 

I am proud that the Democratic majority is supporting our middle class families with this tax relief, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.