ELIMINATE THE DEATH TAX -- HON. STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL (Extensions of Remarks - June 09, 2000)

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HON. STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, June 8, 2000

Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, today I express my strong support for the elimination of the death tax. When a person dies in this country, an outrageous tax of 37 to 55 percent is levied against the deceased's estate. The last thing that a family in mourning should have to worry about is losing the family business or farm--a life's work--to satisfy the IRS.

Only in America can one be given a certificate at birth, a license at marriage, and a bill at death. This tax is contrary to the freedom and free-market principles on which this nation was founded.

There is no question that Americans deserve to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. It is our duty to provide responsible, targeted tax relief in this time of budgetary surplus. Since my first day in Congress, we have debated what to do with the surplus. Some said tax cuts. I have strongly supported paying down the debt by 2013 or earlier. But if we pass responsible, targeted tax cuts, we can accomplish both. It is essential for Congress to repeal the unfair death tax so that family businesses and family farms can be passed down from generation to generation.

Owning a family business is the culmination of the American Dream. Let's restore the dream and repeal the death tax. We owe it to America's families, small business owners and farmers.
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