Ehrlich on Washington column, November 30, 1997

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Week of November 30, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL WRAP UP The gavel came down on the first session of the lOS"1 Congress just three weeks ago. Now that the voting session is complete for the year, I am performing more of the important activities for which the busy congressional voting schedule leaves limited time, such as visiting local businesses and speaking to groups of citizens from Aberdeen to Anne Arundel County. Most of the folks I meet want to know what Congress accomplished in 1997. As 1 look over the past eleven months, I cannot help but feel this Congress’ achievements have been truly historic. The 1 05й1 Congress will be remembered as the Congress which got things done. We passed the first balanced budget in a generation, the first tax relief Ъ\\\ in 16 years, and began ending the IRS as we know it. We rescued Medicare from impending bankruptcy and proved that welfare reform can work. We also passed a number of pro-student, pro-veteran, and pro-woman initiatives. All in all, it has been a very good year. Here are a few of the 105'h Congress’ successes to date: • Balanced Budget: The balanced budget plan agreed upon by Congress and the President will achieve a balanced budget no later than 2002 using real nonpartisan numbers. • Saving Medicare: The Medicare reform plan passed by Congress extends the life of the Medicare < Part A Trust Fund for 10 years by slowing Medicare spending. It gives beneficiaries a choice among competing health plans, and expands coverage to include more preventive benefits. Tax Relief: The tax relief plan passed by Congress includes a $400 tax credit (rising to $500 in