Ehrlich on Washington column, August 3, 1997

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Week of August 3, 1997 A BIPARTISAN BUDGET DEAL, PART II Sometimes lightening does in fact strike twice — even in Washington. In May, the White House and Republicans in Congress reached bipartisan agreement on the overall framework of a plan to balance the budget and provide significant tax relief for working folks. While the agreement was a good, if imperfect, step towards restoring fiscal discipline to Washington, it was far from being a “done deal.” Scores of tricky details remained to be resolved. Last week, that agreement became a done deal. Once again, the White House and the GOP Congress reached agreement, this time upon the specific spending and tax provisions of the overall agreement reached in May. Shortly thereafter, Congress passed legislation implementing the plans with solid bipartisan majorities. I am extremely pleased (and a little surprised) by the speed with which White House and congressional negotiators reached a final deal. While the final version of the plan is far from perfect (no compromise ever is), I think it is a net winner for the American people for three main reasons. First, it achieves by 2002, if not sooner, the first balanced budget since 1969. For the future of our country and of our children, there is no higher objective than putting an end, once and for all, to the free-spending ways of the past. Second, it grants a total of $94 billion in meaningful tax relief ($9 billion more than agreed to in May). The tax relief provisions I supported will benefit Americans at every stage of life. Here are a few of the major tax cut provisions: