Our servicemen and servicewomen spend months away from their families, and are poorly compensated for doing so. As a result, many of them are leaving the military. Many hostile nations are developing missile technology that will soon put the United States in harms way. Fortunately, our Missile Defense bill makes it a national priority for the United States to develop a missile defense system capable of protecting us from the threat of enemy missiles. As Americans, our liberty is our most valuable asset, and we must protect ourselves from those who would threaten it.
National defense is among the most important roles of our federal government.
Finally, we remain committed to providing tax relief to the American people. That is why we sent a fair and responsible tax relief package to President's desk. Currently, we have a tax code that punishes couples for getting married through the marriage tax penalty. We have a tax code that punishes people trying to save for retirement through the capital gains tax. We have a tax code that punishes widows through the death tax.