June 14, 2004

Last month, Congress passed the Middle Class Alternative Tax Relief Act of 2004.  I am a cosponsor of this bill which extends the middle class alternative minimum tax exemption and provides important tax relief to millions of Americans.  It is now up to the Senate to act on this important tax bill.

I am convinced that President Bush's economic policies shortened the economic downturn caused by a deflating stock market in early 2001, the September 11th terrorist attacks, and multiple corporate scandals.  Targeted tax relief provided a short-term 'shot in the arm' when our economy needed it most.

Congress and the President have given the American people historic tax relief two of the last three years.  We should pursue making this relief permanent while holding the line on spending because the budget deficit must come down as soon as possible.