mr. crowley: under the republican bill, be very clear about this, mr. speaker, the earned income tax credit under the republican bill would only be $2,390. now, i do the math. that means under the republican bill that sergeant and his or her family would have a $1,118 tax increase. you can't get around it. that's the facts. that's the numbers. they speak loud and clear. and not a single one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuted that. we have refuted the $250,000 issue as it pertains to small business men and owners. the reality is the men and women on the front lines defending this gemsy, defending our freedom, defending our way of life, allowing for small business men and women to prosper in this country, they're not worth a tax break. your bill increases taxes on our military men and women. there's no getting around it. a vote for the republican bill is a vote to increase taxes on military men and women. a vote for the democratic substitute is a tax cut for our military men and women. the speaker pro tempore: the time of the gentlema

mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from new york, joe crowley. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from new york is recognized for two minutes. mr. crowley: i thank my friend and colleague from washington for yielding me this time. i would thank all those involved in bringing this important legislation to the floor and doing it, all be it a little late in some components, but getting it here all the same. i understand it was not necessarily the house of representatives that was the reason for the hold up but i am very pleased we are here today. i also want to make note of the baby steps we may be taking here in terms of bipartisanship. chairman camp, as well as my colleagues on my side of the aisle, i think those watching today may be a little glimmer of hope that more can be accomplished in the weeks to come before the elections. i am not necessarily holding my breath but i want to make that offer that i'm interested in seeing that happen. even though there are baby steps, it should not diminish the importance of the legislation we have before us