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Brown doubletalks on tax cut
Congressman faces GOP opposition at home

GOOSE CREEK, S.C., Aug. 30, 2001 -- U.S. Rep. Henry Brown today highlighted his deep understanding of the federal budget process when he announced that a $74 billion tax cut didn't affect the federal surplus.

Or did he?

Brown touted the $300 per person tax cut by saying, "It's just the first installment. It's real and it's going to be great for America."

About criticism that the tax cut will wipe out the surplus, Brown later added, "With the economy growing at four-tenths of one percent rather than 6 or 7 percent as in the past, it's going to have an adverse affect. That doesn't mean the tax cuts have caused the shortfall. It's because of additional spending."

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office this week said the federal government may have to borrow $9 billion from the Social Security Trust Fund to cover costs.

"Let's do the math: Republicans are going to have to dip into the Social Security Trust Fund to the tune of $9 billion and the tax cut cost $74 billion," former Brown opponent Andy Brack said. "Hmmm. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that we wouldn't put Social Security at risk if we didn't have to steal from it to pay for the tax cut.

"What planet is Brown on? He's returning to the old standby Republican playbook -- borrow and spend and blame everything on spending. His fiscal philosophy is intellectually dishonest."

IN OTHER NEWS, Brown has picked up a Republican challenger for the 2002 elections. Bob Batchelder, a grocery manager from Horry County who ran as a Reform Party candidate against Brown in 2000, now says he'll run as a Republican for the seat in 2002.

Among the reasons he's challenging Brown:

Campaign Finance Reform. "Contrary to my opponent, I will support the Shays ­Meehan Finance Reform bill presently in Congress. Until we limit the amount of money being pumped into campaigns the people will never have a voice. It is getting to the point where only the very wealthy can begin to think about running for office."

Trade Agreements. “I favor the renegotiation of international trade agreements to make them fair. I also believe we should not grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations at this time but revert back to a yearly review. Too many of our agreements favor multinational corporations to the detriment of our manufacturing and textile industries here at home. These positions are what set Henry Brown and I apart.”

Junkets and integrity. “I am displeased that our present Congressman has seen fit to tour the world at the taxpayers expense. Years ago these were called ‘junkets’. Today we hear they are now ‘getting to know you seminars.’ Absolutely ridiculous. I want the people of the 1st district to know that I will be frugal, upfront, and not afraid to state my positions on the issues.”

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"With the economy growing at four-tenths of one percent rather than 6 or 7 percent as in the past, it [the tax cut] is going to have an adverse affect. That doesn't mean the tax cuts have caused the shortfall."

-- Henry Brown, Aug. 30, 2001

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