107TH CONGRESS ENDS AS 108TH CONGRESS PREPARES FOR TAKEOFF
By: Stuart Pigler

Washington, DC -- There were many accomplishments in the 107th Congress that the American people should remember as we enter 2003 and beyond. Unfortunately, there were many good bills that did not make it out of the United States Senate and to President Bush's desk.

First, let's highlight the major accomplishments. The biggest item to note in my opinion was the major tax cut bill that the House and Senate passed in 2001 with President Bush's blessing. This was leadership at its best. This legislation provides immediate tax relief through the reduction of individual income tax rates. I want the Congress to make this tax cut permanent!

There were many items in the tax cut bill that provided relief for middle class Americans. For example, the Death Tax was repealed. No one should be forced to visit the undertaker and the I.R.S. in the same day. The Marriage Penalty relief provision was enacted because of an unfair tax that couples pay for just saying, "I do" to help approximately 25 million couples. The Congress passed into law the Adoption Tax Credit that increases the credit to $10,000 for all adoptions. Another provision in the bill is the College Savings Plan that gives families a tax break on savings for college. This is a tremendous relief for parents and students. Under this measure, families will not pay tax on the earnings of these accounts. And of course, we cannot forget the "No Child Left Behind Act" that improves education for every child in America by holding schools accountable to parents, providing states and local school districts with unprecedented new flexibility and giving new choices to parents.

As we enter 2003, the American people are expecting more from the Congress. We still need a National Energy Plan to meet our energy needs, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and OPEC, and promote conservation measures and create jobs. We need Medicare modernization and a comprehensive prescription drug benefit. Please note the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Energy and the Medicare plan legislation, unfortunately, the Senate failed to act on these items.

Long-term care was a major priority for the 107th Congress and I hope it will be at the top of the agenda in the 108th Congress that begins in January. I am a strong advocate for encouraging individuals to plan ahead through the purchase of long-term care insurance polices. The Congress should adopt legislation that would allow individuals a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums and a credit for individuals with long-term care needs. Unfortunately, many of these items were left on the docket in the U.S. Senate after the House acted on these bills. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle refused to even bring up the bills for a vote on the Senate floor.

Now that the Republicans are in control of the Senate, I am expecting liberal Democrats to threatened the use of the filibuster to delay or block legislation that strengthens America. It takes 60 votes to stop a filibuster and usually if a caucus does not have the votes to stop this tactic, they concede and proceed to the next item of business.
I am suggesting to the new Senate Majority Leader that if a Senator wants to block a bill by threatening to filibuster legislation and Sen. Lott does not have the 60 votes, then let them filibuster. Many Americans are familiar with the hours-long filibuster of Senator Jefferson Smith in Frank Capra's film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The record for the longest individual speech goes to South Carolina's Strom Thurmond who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes. Let us see for ourselves who are the real culprits in the 108th Congress.

Stuart Pigler is a member of the National Advisory Council of the African-American leadership network Project 21 and a former television commentator in Grand Rapids, Michigan.


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