WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With the Senate’s approval this morning of a bill to repeal the federal inheritance tax, U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry (TX-13) and Larry Combest (TX-19) wrote today to President Clinton urging him to reconsider his opposition to abolishing the tax.

     “Dear Mr. President,” Thornberry and Combest wrote, “Since you took office in 1993, you have been fairly clear in stating your belief that the federal inheritance tax should not be repealed.  In light of the fact that the House overwhelmingly passed legislation on June 12th to do just this and the Senate followed suit today, we are urging you to reconsider your position and sign this bill into law.

     “We represent one of the largest agricultural areas of the country.  Eliminating the death tax would have immediate and far-reaching benefits for the thousands of farmers and ranchers in our Districts and elsewhere across the country who struggle each day with the demands of their job.  Trying to deal with low commodity prices and poor weather is bad enough.  But to have your own government come in and take claim to over half of what you own when you die is a burden no American should have to face.

     “Repealing the death tax is not only common sense.  It’s also the right thing to do.  We ought to be encouraging people to work hard, build, save, and try to leave something so their children can have a better life.  The death tax stands in the way of all of these things, which is why it needs to be repealed.

     “Accordingly, we urge you to sign the bill Congress is about to send you that would do this and provide vital tax relief to thousands of American families and businesses.”

     Thornberry is a lifelong rancher and author of legislation to repeal the death tax.  Combest is the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and a former farmer.

     Both are long-time proponents of death tax repeal.