Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is outraged by the U.S. Senate's passage this week of the Jumpstart Our Business Strength Act (S. 1637). What started as the Congressional repeal of a $5 billion-a-year export subsidy prohibited under international trade agreements became another money-grab by wealthy corporate interests. The pork barrel laden bill was adopted at a budget-busting cost of $170 billion. Among others, the long list of corporate special interests that benefit include horse- and dog-track owners, cruise-ship operators, NASCAR track owners, Oldsmobile dealers, and multi-national corporations—many of which send their jobs overseas. Oil and gas subsidies alone account for about $5 billion in tax breaks in the bill.

"This bill exemplifies again the misplaced priorities of our national leaders," said Marian Wright Edelman President and Founder of CDF. "For less than the cost of these tax breaks, Congress could have provided Head Start for every eligible child or provided every uninsured child in America with comprehensive health care for the next decade. They have chosen not to. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously cautioned, 'The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.' We find ourselves today clearly failing that test."

CDF applauds Senator John McCain (R-AZ) for offering a voice of reason against this legislation during the Senate floor debate. His words should be remembered when the House of Representatives takes up their version of the bill. Senator McCain said, "It is remarkable, with a half trillion [dollar] deficit, that we are enacting new tax credits for—guess who—the oil and gas industry in America which, the last time I checked, is doing pretty well. The majority of my colleagues on this side of the aisle just voted against an extension of the unemployment benefits for Americans who remain unemployed and haven't profited by this reemerging and strengthening economy. My God, we won't give them an extension of their unemployment benefits. But if the ethanol people of Archer Daniels Midland need it, by God, we will give it to them … $170 billion in tax credits but no extension of unemployment benefits for people who have been out of work. It is a remarkable commentary."

CDF finds the actions of the Senate this week both remarkable and sad, and calls on President Bush to reject these irresponsible and immoral tax breaks.

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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.