Copyright 2000 The Washington Post
The Washington
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September 10, 2000, Sunday, Final Edition
SECTION: SOUTHERN MARYLAND EXTRA; Pg. M21
LENGTH: 668 words
HEADLINE:
VOTES IN CONGRESS
BODY:
The following is a
report of how some major bills fared last week in Congress and how Southern
Maryland's representative, Steny H. Hoyer (D-5th District), and Democratic Sens.
Barbara A. Mikulski and Paul S. Sarbanes voted.
HOUSE
ESTATE TAX REPEAL
For-274 / Against-157
The House failed on Thursday to achieve a two-thirds majority
necessary to override President Clinton's veto of a bill (HR 8) to repeal estate
taxes in 2010. At present, the first $ 675,000 of an estate is generally exempt
from taxation, an exclusion that will reach $ 1 million in 2006. For inherited
farms and family-owned businesses, the first $ 1.3 million is now exempted from
estate taxes. Because of these exclusions, the tax is levied on only 2 percent
of estates, according to the Treasury Department. The top tax rate, not counting
surcharges, is 55 percent, and the lowest is 18 percent. Under the bill, rates
would be gradually reduced in increments of from one to five percentage points,
and the exemption for farm and business estates would be expanded. Repeal would
cost the Treasury $ 105 billion in its first 10 years and between $ 500 billion
and $ 750 billion in the following 10 years.
HOYER-NO
RAILROAD RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENTS
For-391 /
Against-25
The House passed a bill (HR 4844) on Thursday to
begin private investment of assets in the taxpayer-backed Railroad Retirement
System. Present and retired railroad employees and their families do not
participate in Social Security. Instead, they are covered by the Depression-era
Rail Retirement System. About 700,000 people now receive benefits. Because the
bill sets a transfer between the railroad fund and Social Security, one lawmaker
called it a "raid" on Social Security. Under the bill, reserves that pay the
railroad system's "Tier II" benefits would be opened for stock market investment
by private money managers. The "Tier I" trust fund, which functions much like
Social Security, would remain solely invested in government securities. Also,
the bill lowers from 62 to 60 the age for retirement with full benefits after 30
years of service; allows retirees to work in non-railroad jobs without pension
reductions; and lowers from 10 years to five the vesting period for full
benefits. A yes vote supported the investment proposal.
HOYER-YES
CHILD SUPPORT
For-405 /
Against-18
The House passed a bill (HR 4678) on Thursday that
will allow families leaving welfare to receive all of the child support that has
been collected for them by states. The bill also provides grants to faith-based
organizations for programs promoting marriage and responsible fatherhood. At
present, to offset the cost of welfare, states keep a share of the child support
they collect from absent fathers. Under this bill, the family leaving welfare is
to receive the entire amount. About 30 million children now are owed $ 50
billion in unpaid child support, according to the House Republican Conference.
The bill is projected to reduce the federal surplus by $ 3.4 billion over 10
years. A yes vote was to pass the bill.
HOYER-YES
HIRING FOR FAITH-BASED FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS
For-175 /
Against-249
The House defeated a bid by Democrats on Thursday to
strip HR 4678 (above) of language they viewed as discriminatory. They said that
under the bill, religious groups receiving federal funds to operate fatherhood
programs can legally deny employment to persons of other faiths. A yes vote
backed the Democrats' motion.
HOYER-YES
SENATE
CHINA TRADE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
For-30 / Against-67
The Senate defeated on Thursday a religious freedom amendment
offered to a bill (HR 4444) establishing permanent, normal U.S. trade with the
People's Republic of China. The amendment sought to deny normal trade unless the
president certifies that China allows its citizens to worship freely. The bill
remained in debate. A yes vote backed the amendment.
MIKULSKI-YES SARBANES-YES
LOAD-DATE: September 10, 2000
