Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to K. W. M., September 9, 1997

Congress of tfje fHniteb States 5?ousf of £cpreoentatilico MliiStungton, ЗЭС 20515-2002 Thank you for your correspondence expressing your concerns about the tax cut provisions contained within the balanced budget agreement. As I read your letter, the bottom line seems to be your belief that seniors should somehow be immune from deferred income or income received after retirement. Many of the concerns you raised about the balanced budget/tax relief plan are quite valid. During budget negotiations, every side got some of what it wanted, but nobody walked away from the table completely satisfied. I too can imagine a better budget, one which freezes government spending, reduces taxes even further and for more people, and begins to pay down the national debt. But while the American people reelected a congressional majority which feels much the same way I do, they also reelected Bill Clinton (with especially strong support from seniors) to the White House. That is why the budget/tax cut agreement reflects the President’s priorities as well as mine. The balanced budget/tax relief plan does contain a number of substantive tax initiatives that will benefit the middle class, such as estate and capital gains tax relief. Be assured that I will continue to work in favor of expanded tax relief which benefits more Americans. Ultimately, however, it will probably take the election of a Republican president who shares our passion for tax relief before this happens. Once again, thanks for writing. Please let me know if I can be of additional assistance to you in the future. Sincerely, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress