August 31, 2000

Manzullo: Clinton Crushes Farmers Dreams by Vetoing Death Tax Repeal

[SEWARD] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today chastised President Clinton for abandoning America's farm families by vetoing legislation that would have repealed the cruel death tax. Manzullo delivered the following statement at the farm of Richard and Judy Beuth in rural Seward, Winnebago County:

STATEMENT

"President Clinton should be here today to tell the Beuth family to their faces that they are 'rich.' That is the reason the President gave when he vetoed the Death Tax repeal bill today which was passed by an overwhelming majority of both houses of Congress.

"When Richard Beuth's parents passed away -- his father in 1998 and mom in 1995 -- Richard Beuth and his two sisters had to pay more than $185,000 in federal death taxes, just for the privilege of being able to keep the 470-acre farm in the family.

"The death tax is immoral and totally unfair. It deprives farm families and small business owners the right to pass their heritage onto their children. Richard Beuth's great-grandfather pioneered their family farm. Thanks to President Clinton, now Richard's children will have to remortgage the family farm just to be able to continue the family tradition of farming.

"I hope the American people will realize that the President does not want the death tax repealed because he wants more money to fuel more government programs. He is not interested in the welfare of family farmers and small business people.

"While the President is vetoing the bill around the splendor of the Rose Garden this afternoon, I am with the Beuths at their family farm here in Seward where there is very little rejoicing today."