[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H4169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HOUSE BIPARTISAN VOTE ON THE ESTATE TAX IS A VICTORY FOR TAXPAYERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Ways and 
Means, I want to celebrate today's victory on behalf of the taxpayers. 
That is the outstanding vote produced by this bipartisan Congress, 279 
to 136. Sixty-five Democrats joined the Republican majority in 
signalling to America and to taxpayers everywhere that we think it is 
punitive when a person dies after working all their life to increase 
wealth, to increase opportunities for their family, that the government 
now becomes their partner; the government becomes, if you will, the 
primary recipient of all that person's hard work.
  Growing up in this country, my parents told me, work hard, strive for 
the greatest heights, and you will be richly rewarded for your efforts. 
America, home of entrepreneurs and opportunity everywhere, signals to 
people, come one, come all, from around the world to this great Nation. 
We are in fact a home of opportunity.
  Many people agreed with us today, and thankfully many people, 
everyone from the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), joined. The list is endless of 
people from virtually every State who joined in recognizing the 
egregious nature of the estate tax or death tax, as we call it.
  The calls on the House floor, today, though would indicate otherwise. 
In fact, the minority portrayed this as simply a Republican bill rammed 
through this process with no debate and no consideration. Death taxes 
have been on the books since 1913, so I do not think we got to this 
point in time quickly. In fact, I think we have been waiting for this a 
long time.
  I think the voters of the minority Democrat party in fact enjoyed the 
bill today and supported the bill today, and in fact, we are just 
within the threshold of a veto-proof number in this Chamber.
  While we are on the subject of bipartisanship, I think it is 
important to not only compliment those, and the numbers and names can 
be found probably in many newspapers around the country, the 65 brave 
hearts that stood up and recognized the estate tax is patently unfair. 
But let us talk about the tactics being used by the minority party this 
week in fact as it relates to getting bills passed on behalf of the 
citizens of the country.
  The front page of the Roll Call newspaper on the Hill said, ``Wyden 
Lands in Hot Water.'' That is Senator Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon. 
``Bipartisanship may cost the Oregonian a finance panel seat.''
  It goes on to say that, ``Senator Ron Wyden may have won plaudits 
from the New York Times editorial page for trying to reach across party 
lines to craft a Medicare prescription drug reform plan, but the move 
infuriated many of his Democratic colleagues. Several Democrat sources 
says Wyden has now dashed any hope of landing one of the three coveted 
seats opening at the end of the year on the powerful Finance Committee, 
which has jurisdiction over entitlement and tax policy.''
  That is amazing, that in a day when we have had dialogue about a lack 
of bipartisanship, we read that headline, that one of their own reached 
out to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Ways and Means, to try and 
craft a proposal that would actually pass, that would actually ensure 
prescription drug coverage for our seniors, prescription drug coverage 
that is vitally necessary for our seniors throughout America.
  A brave soul, a Democratic Senator, decided it was more important to 
start to reach out to help our constituents, rather than score 
political points.
  It goes on to talk about how he gave Republicans ground to stand on, 
and what have you. Let me just suggest, Mr. Speaker, the problems we 
are facing in this country are great. The problems we are facing as it 
relates to policy are important. I applaud Senator Wyden, and I know I 
am probably stretching by referring to people by name, but I want to 
thank him for at least reaching out to try and find some common ground.
  We have a lot of issues. The Patients' Bill of Rights, I will alert 
many of my colleagues as a Republican, I am a proud sponsor and 
supporter of that bill. That does not bring my party any great 
happiness, because they don't like when some of us are off the 
reservation, but nevertheless, I support it.
  Campaign finance reform is another issue I take a great deal of pride 
in supporting.
  I think there are a number of issues we can resolve on this floor, in 
this Chamber, relative to the needs of Americans. But I do think it is 
good that this is a time when bipartisanship is finally starting to 
reach through the cacaphony, right now, again, 65 Democratic yea votes 
on the bill today to eliminate death taxes, and that now maybe we can 
move on to other important aspects of public policy.
  Let us go ahead and try to bring the Patients' Bill of Rights to 
fruition. Let us try and bring prescription drug coverage to fruition. 
Let us meet on the educational needs of our children around America, 
rather than just talk about it for campaign purposes. Let us make 
certain that every American is benefited by the debate and the dialogue 
here on the floor, that ultimately it is not about who runs this place.
  God forbid we have that kind of fight. Let us not worry about who is 
in charge next year. Let us do something on behalf of the people. We 
have a chance. We can do it.

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