    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1995]
    [Pages 197-198]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Middle Class Tax Relief
    Legislation
    February 13, 1995

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit today for your immediate consideration and
    enactment the ``Middle-Class Bill of Rights Tax Relief Act of 1995.'' I
    am also sending you an explanation of the revenue proposals of this
    legislation.
        This bill is the next step in my Administration's continuing effort
    to raise living standards for working families and help restore the
    American Dream for all our people.
        For 2 years, we have worked hard to strengthen our economy. We
    worked with the last Congress to enact legislation that will reduce the
    annual deficits of 1994-98 by more than $600 billion; we created nearly
    6 million new jobs; we cut taxes for 15 million low-income families and
    gave tax relief to small businesses; we opened export markets through
    global and regional trade agreements; we invested in human and physical
    capital to increase productivity; and we reduced the Federal Government
    by more than 100,000 positions.
        With that strong foundation in place, I am now proposing a Middle
    Class Bill of Rights. Despite our progress, too many Americans are still
    working harder for less. The Middle Class Bill of Rights will enable
    working Americans to raise their families and get the education and
    training they need to meet the demands of a new global economy. It will
    let middle-income families share in our economic prosperity today and
    help them build our economic prosperity tomorrow.
        The ``Middle-Class Bill of Rights Tax Relief Act of 1995'' includes
    three of the four elements of my Middle Class Bill of Rights. First, it
    offers middle-income families a $500 tax credit for each child under 13.
    Second, it includes a tax deduction of up to $10,000 a year to help
    middle-income Americans pay for postsecondary education expenses and
    training expenses. Third,

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    it lets more middle-income Americans make tax-deductible contributions
    to Individual Retirement Accounts and withdraw from them, penalty-free,
    for the costs of education and training, health care, first-time home-
    buying, long periods of unemployment, or the care of an ill parent.
        The fourth element of my Middle Class Bill of Rights--not included
    in this legislation--is the GI Bill for America's Workers, which
    consolidates 70 Federal training programs and creates a more effective
    system for learning new skills and finding better jobs for adults and
    youth. Legislation for this proposal is being developed in cooperation
    with the Congress.
        If enacted, the Middle Class Bill of Rights will help keep the
    American Dream alive for everyone willing to take responsibility for
    themselves, their families, and their futures. And it will not burden
    our children with more debt. In my fiscal 1996 budget, we have found
    enough savings not only to pay for this tax bill, but also to provide
    another $81 billion in deficit reduction between 1996 and 2000.
        This legislation will restore fairness to our tax system, let
    middle-income families share in our economic prosperity, encourage
    Americans to prepare for the future, and help ensure that the United
    States moves into the 21st Century still the strongest nation in the
    world. I urge the Congress to take prompt and favorable action on this
    legislation.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    February 13, 1995.

    Note: A fact sheet on the ``Middle-Class Bill of Rights Tax Relief Act
    of 1995'' was also released by the Office of the Press Secretary.