STEARNS A COSPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION ENDING THIS UNFAIR TAX

Washington, Apr 13, 2005 - "Under federal law, grave robbing is punishable with up to two years in prison and a $20,000 fine," noted Rep. Cliff Stearns, "yet the death tax allows the government to take an individual's property after death. I am pleased to vote for H.R. 8, the Death Tax Permanency Act, which makes the repeal of this odious tax permanent."

The House today approved H.R. 8, which extends the repeal of the Death Tax permanently beyond 2010. Under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Death Tax is being gradually reduced and eventually repealed in 2010. However, the Death Tax would become effective again in 2011.

"Although the Death Tax impacts only a small percentage of Americans, its repeal is a matter of fairness - people should not be taxed after their death on money they have already been taxed on during their lifetime," said Stearns. "This measure protects family businesses from this crippling tax or the sale of the business to pay the Death Tax."