WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 4, 2000

Congress Back in Full Swing;
House Focusing on Taxes, Senate Trade

Congressional Republicans, Clinton attempt to find common ground. Although Congress officially returned to work last week, little work was done and the focus of the week was President Clinton's State of the Union Address. This week, Congress returned to business and began mapping out its agenda for the remainder of the year. To get off on the right foot before election year politics grind the gears of Washington to a halt, Congressional leaders from each party met with President Clinton on Tuesday. Despite the meeting, no clear cut bipartisan agenda emerged and each party appears content to adhere to its own plan.

House Republicans press piecemeal tax strategy. Instead of lumping all of the tax cut measures into one large bill, such as the tax bill vetoed by President Clinton last year, House Republicans are pushing a series of smaller tax bills focusing on specific items such as the marriage penalty, educational tax breaks, and tax assistance for poorer communities.

Rep. Dunn presses House Speaker on Estate Tax. Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) and more than 80 other Members of Congress presented a letter Wednesday to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) urging him to prioritize eliminating of the estate tax this session. AIADA supports eliminating the estate tax and has placed it at the top of its legislative agenda.

Senate uncertain on taxes, focusing on trade. While the Senate Republicans would like to enact significant tax cuts this year, they have identified trade legislation as their top priority this year. According to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), "One thing this session of Congress may be remembered for is what we do, or don't do, on trade." Trade legislation appears to be the one area where Republicans and the White House can work together this year. The largest trade battle expected this Congress will be over giving China permanent Most Favored Nation trading status. Republicans are also eager to showcase their pro-trade stance and place many Democrats on the hot seat by forcing them to cast votes on issues that the labor unions vehemently oppose.

Ways and Means Committee to address fallout of WTO Ministerial. On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee will hold a hearing focusing on the collapse of the recent WTO Ministerial in Seattle. U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky will testify on behalf of the Administration.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"One thing this session of Congress may
be remembered for is what we do, or
don't do, on trade."
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS)

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