[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[September 7, 2000]
[Pages 1772-1773]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on House of Representatives Action on Estate Tax Legislation
September 7, 2000

    I commend the House Members who voted today to reject the majority's 
flawed estate tax bill. While I support estate tax relief that addresses 
family farms, small businesses, and principal residences, the approach 
taken by the majority in Congress is part of a $2 trillion tax plan that 
would take us back to the days of deficits, high interest rates, and 
fiscal irresponsibility. This is a misguided bill that provides a huge 
tax cut for the most well-off Americans at the expense of working 
families. It is a key ingredient of a Republican tax plan that would 
leave nothing for Social Security, Medicare, education, or a voluntary, 
affordable prescription drug benefit.
    This back-loaded bill explodes in cost from $100 billion from 2001-
10 to $750 billion from 2011-20, just when Medicare and Social Security 
will come under strain. It benefits only 2 percent of all estates in 
America and provides half of its benefits to about 3,000 families 
annually, while more than 10 million Americans wait for an increase in 
the minimum wage and tens of millions of seniors lack dependable 
prescription drug coverage. Furthermore, studies by economists have 
found that repealing the estate tax would reduce charitable donations by 
$5 billion to $6 billion per year.
    If the congressional leadership is serious about estate tax relief 
for small businesses, family farms, and principal residences of middle-
class families that have increased in value, they should work with me in 
a fiscally responsible manner as Democrats in Congress have proposed. 
Together, we can strengthen Social Security and Medicare, invest in key 
priorities, and pay off the debt by 2012. This is the right priority for 
America.

[[Page 1773]]