Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, September 24, 1999

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan September 24, 1999 202/225-3061 Ehrlich Criticizes Clinton For Veto of Working Families’Tax Relief Package Vows to Fight on for Meaningful Tax Relief to Families WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. criticized President Clinton’s veto of the "Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act" (H.R. 2488), a broad-based $792 billion tax relief package, including elimination of the estate or "death tax," reduction in the marriage penalty and capital gains taxes, and tax breaks for health care and education. Congressman Ehrlich stated, "Today, President Clinton turned his back on hard-working Americans and, as usual, embraced big government spending with open arms. This tax relief package was based on the simple premise that American workers and families know their needs better than government. President Clinton clearly disagrees. He has stated that he does not trust the American people to spend their own money, because they might not spend it correctly. "This veto opens the door to more federal spending that will jeopardize our economic prosperity. If this tax overpayment stays in Washington, it will be spent. That much is clear from the FY2000 budget President Clinton sent to Congress calling for 80 new federal programs and a $13 billion increase in taxes and user fees next year. "President Clinton’s veto blocks the most significant tax relief for working Americans in 18 years. By this one act, he has denied 28 million couples relief from the marriage penalty. He has ensured that the ‘death tax’ will live on to rob many families of their small businesses or farms. He has eliminated tax breaks that would make health care, education and caring for elderly relatives more affordable. "President Clinton and the Democratic leadership in Congress have guaranteed that American workers will continue to pay the highest peacetime tax burden in fifty years. "Republicans remain committed to providing major tax relief this Congress. We will continue to fight for the American taxpayers’ right to keep the tax overpayments they earned with their sweat and ingenuity." ###