[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE DEATH TAX ELIMINATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
will improve the prospects of every family-owned and operated farm, 
ranch, and business in America. These small family farms and businesses 
are the backbone of the Texas economy, and the estate tax, often called 
the death tax, threatens their continued existence. It is time to end 
this tax--and my bill does just that.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that farmers' and 
ranchers' estates are six times more likely to face estate taxes than 
others' estates. In my travels around the 19 counties of the First 
Congressional District, evidence of the accuracy of this estimation 
pours forth. At nearly every stop I make, I hear horror stories from 
family members who were forced to sell all or part of the family farm 
just to pay estate taxes.
  The death tax represents one percent of the Federal tax revenues. 
However, the impact to the taxpayers is far from insignificant. Not 
only does this punitive tax cause financial problems for families who 
are forced to sell property that has been in the family for generations 
or businesses built over a lifetime, but also local economies feel the 
impact as jobs disappear and businesses close. Clearly, the social and 
economic costs of the estate tax far outweigh the revenue it provides 
for the federal government.
  The time has come to end this ill conceived tax. The tax that was 
originally intended to break up huge family estates now inhibits the 
passage of 70 percent of family businesses from one generation to the 
next. Two years ago, we took meaningful steps to reduce the burden of 
death taxes on family farms and small businesses in the Taxpayer Relief 
Act of 1997. The next step is to completely eliminate it and free 
families from this burden forever.

                          ____________________