releases: https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-to-president-bush-it-simply-doesnt-add-up
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-to-president-bush-it-simply-doesnt-add-up | CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE TO PRESIDENT BUSH: "IT SIMPLY DOESN'T ADD UP!" | 2001-02-27 | 2001 | 2001-02 | Democrat | House | CA | Barbara Lee | L000551 | lee.house.gov | legacy | 02.27.01 CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE TO PRESIDENT BUSH: "IT SIMPLY DOESN'T ADD UP!" Washington, DC - Following his address to Congress, Congresswoman Barbara Lee responded to President Bush's budget plan. In order to finance his proposed $1.6 trillion tax cut, President Bush will have to cut $300 billion over ten years from other programs such as Social Security and Medicare, environmental protection, job training, and housing. Bush's proposal includes the Social Security and Medicare trust funds as part of the surpluses available to fund his tax cut and Social Security privatization. Congresswoman Lee is the Vice-Chair of the House Progressive Caucus and supports its American People's Dividend which will provide a $300 tax credit to every adult and child in the country. The yearly dividend is based on surplus projections and contains a built-in trigger so that the dividend can be suspended if there are no future surpluses. "This plan is simple, comprehensive, and fiscally responsible," said Lee. "It is progressive in that low- and moderate-income families will get more back than under Bush's plan. These are the people that need the tax break, not the rich, and not big corporations." "For President Bush to want to address the education crisis, expand defense spending, pay down the debt, shore up Social Security and Medicare, and give a tax cut that exceeds $2 trillion if made retroactive, is ludicrous. It simply doesn't add up," said Lee. "Additionally, we have 44 million Americans without health insurance, yet Bush only mentioned a tax credit but no comprehensive strategy to address this issue." "I am also particularly concerned to hear reports that the Bush Administration will freeze funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Urban areas like the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda in California's Ninth Congressional District are facing a critical and severe affordable housing shortage, and this is not the time to inadequately fund programs that help elderly and low-income people," said Lee. In closing, Congresswoman Lee made the following remark: "I would like to see President Bush and his Administration show more leadership on the pressing social issues such as housing, health care, education, and Social Security and Medicare solvency. These are real problems, but his trickle down tax cut will not help most Americans deal with them." ### Next Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |