Lower Taxes

Congress must reign in fiscal irresponsibility and balance the budget without raising the taxes of hard-working Americans.

I have long been a supporter of tax reform and was proud to cast my vote for the third-largest tax cut in history, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The law accelerated the tax relief Congress passed in 2001, including marriage penalty relief, an increase in the child tax credit, tax rate reductions for every family that pays income taxes, and also lowering the tax rate on dividends and capital gains.

These tax cuts have been important for the overall economy. The child tax credit gave tax refunds to those most likely to reinvest in the economy - parents. The capital gains tax cut spurred investment. And the across-the-board tax rate cuts ensured the tax cuts went to all taxpayer, so that all taxpayers could reinvest into the economy, further driving economic growth.

I have supported and will continue to fight to make all of the 2001 and 2003 tax relief provisions permanent and new tax relief for the middle-class. I am currently a cosponsor of the Death Tax Repeal Act, to completely repeal the onerous estate tax. The 2001 tax cut gradually phased out the death tax by 2010, but it returns in full force in 2011. The repeal of the death tax will make it easier to pass on a family-owned business or farm to the next generation.

Press Releases Related to Taxes

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