AUGUST 24, 2000

H.R. 8, the Death Tax Elimination Act, was formally sent to President Clinton today--with a rancher literally driving a tractor down Pennsylvania Avenue to deliver the legislation. As you know, Clinton is expected to veto H.R. 8, and that will probably occur this coming weekend. ABC sent a letter to President Clinton urging him to sign the legislation, and has a prepared a press release criticizing the veto to be released the next business day.

House leaders are planning a veto override vote for Thursday, September 7. Though 65 Democrats voted for death tax repeal in June, we expect Minority Leader Gephardt and the Clinton administration to twist arms and encourage members to change their vote on override (most likely liberal Democrats in safe districts). The final vote in June was 279-136. Here's a breakdown of the June vote tally to refresh our memories:

Republicans 213 ayes, 0 noes, 9 not voting

Democrats 65 ayes, 135 noes, 11 not voting

Independents 1 aye, 1 no

We need two-thirds--287 votes, to override the veto and are counting on every GOP member to vote to override, as well as each of the 65 Democrats and one Independent who voted for repeal in June. A breakdown of how each member voted in June is listed below. Attached below, please find a sample phone script for your convenience to call the congressional switchboard at 202/456-1111 and urge lawmakers to vote "yes" to override President Clinton's veto of the Death Tax Elimination Act.