OVERRIDE OF CLINTON VETO OF DEATH TAX REPEAL -
9/7
H.R. 8, the Death Tax Elimination Act, passed the
U.S. House of Representatives on June 19th with two-thirds support
from the body - enough to override a veto. After passing the
Senate and being presented to the White House, it was vetoed by
the President on August 31st. Since the bill enjoys
broad-bipartisan support in the House and received two-thirds vote
in June, the House undertook an effort to override the President's
veto. Unfortunately, 13 Democrats who had previously supported
eliminating the death tax switched their votes and the override
attempt failed to garner enough votes. Still, the final vote of
274-157 shows substantial bipartisan support still exists for
eliminating the death tax. This unfair tax, which can take up to
55 percent of a person's life work simply because they die, is
devastating to America's family businesses and farms. As the
author of H.R. 8, I will continue to make eliminating the death
tax my top legislative priority.
FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE - 9/7
The best hope for our children is the daily
involvement of both parents in their lives. For too long, we have
tolerated the unfortunate cycle of fatherless homes to the
detriment of our children. Too many babies are being born out of
wedlock. In fact, a recent Census study found that the number of
babies born to unwed parents has increased fivefold since the
1930s. We need to acknowledge that both mothers and fathers are
important in raising children and helping them achieve their full
potential. As an involved parent, fathers also provide positive
role models for their children. For these reasons, I supported HR
4678, introduced by Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT), which passed the
U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 405-18. This
legislation provides grants for several specific activities that
fatherhood projects could undertake to promote and sustain
marriage, and provide services to low-income young men and women
who are at risk of becoming parents outside marriage.
