House Calls on Senate to Act
September 19, 2002
WASHINGTON - Calling it "vital to the nation’s economy and a matter of fairness to American taxpayers," Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted today to approve a resolution Expressing the Sense of the House that Congress Should Complete Action on the Permanent Death Tax Repeal of 2002, H. Res.524. The House passed a permanent repeal of the death tax on June 6, 2002, but the Senate has not yet acted on this measure. The resolution passed by a vote of 242 to 158.
"In 2011, Americans will be subjected to one of the largest tax increases in history if we don’t make the death tax repeal permanent," said Dreier. "This kind of uncertainty prevents families from effectively planning for the future and imposes excess burdens on small businesses. The House took action in June to once and for all end this unfair tax. The Senate needs to act on this issue. This unfair tax is bad for families and bad for the nation’s economy."
In 2001, Congress passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act. The repeal of the death tax was among the family and small business-targeted tax relief provisions contained in the bill. Most of the Act's tax cuts are phased in over periods of up to 10 years. The Act contains language terminating all of its tax cuts after 2010, a provision inserted to comply with a Senate procedural rule.
Dreier commended his House colleagues who supported the resolution for continuing to work for pro-family, pro-growth tax policies. "We have an opportunity to help working families pass the fruits of their labor on to their children, without the government tax collector intervening," said Dreier. "The permanent repeal of the death tax is a must for families and a must for the economy."
WASHINGTON - Pointing to the tremendous success of the bipartisan 1996 welfare reforms, Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted today to approve a resolution that calls on the Senate to pass legislation extending and expanding pro-family, pro-child welfare programs. The resolution, Expressing the Sense of the House that the 107th Congress Should Complete Action on Extending and Strengthening the 1996 Welfare Reforms, H. Res. 525, passed the house by a vote of 280 - 123. On May 17, 2002, the House passed a welfare reform bill both reauthorizing current programs and providing new options for recipients.
"Welfare reform is about helping families get on the path toward financial independence," said Dreier. "The 1996 welfare reform bill was responsible for helping nearly nine million Americans get jobs, and cut the nation's welfare caseload in half. We know that welfare requires more than just a check. By tying benefits to work we have given recipients the experience, training, and confidence they need to succeed in the marketplace. Legislation the House passed in May builds on our success by extending current programs and adding new options for child care, education, and job training. The Senate must take action on this legislation."
The welfare reauthorization bill passed by the House supports continuation of the welfare programs that have resulted in a sharp decline in the welfare caseload. In addition to approving funding for existing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Care and Development Block Grants, the House bill provides $170 billion in Federal and State funds for child care, education, and training. The Senate has not yet passed a welfare reauthorization bill. The 107th Congress must extend the TANF and child care programs by September 30, 2002, or their availability to low-income families will be jeopardized.
Dreier called on the Senate to take up welfare reform legislation as soon as possible. "Welfare programs that have helped families all across this country are in danger of not being renewed," said Dreier. "We must build on the success of the past five years by extending and expanding these proven welfare programs."
