USA: SENATE REPUBLICANS TAX CUTS

(31 Jul 1999) English/Nat
The United States Senate has passed a bill for a multi-billion dollar package of tax cuts -thereby setting up a new clash with the White House.
Republicans in the Senate pushed through the package even though President Clinton has always said he will veto any such measures to cut taxes.
Senate Republicans in America pushed through a 792 (b) billion dollar tax cut package on Friday.
The vote sets up a clear ideological showdown with the White House over how best to make use of projected government budget surpluses.
President Clinton has said he would veto any measure that closely resembles the Senate bill or a similar House measure because the tax cuts are too large and endanger the nation's economic well-being.
The vote was 57-43.
Moments before the final vote, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Illinois Republican, met with their top deputies to discuss the timetable for negotiations to resolve differences between the two bills.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What we have before us is not another assistance program, not another program that is trying to single out every interest group in America and give them something. But instead we have a tax bill that is aimed at letting working Americans keep more of what they earn, so that they can send their children to college."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Phil Gramm, Republican, Texas
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Now with the money that's left over, we want to cut taxes and the president wants to spend it. That's what the fighting is all about. We are determined to give working Americans the tax relief they are entitled to for their tax overpayment."
SUPER CAPTION: Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Republican, Mississippi
Lott said the goal was to get the bill through the House and Senate by the end of next week, although it will probably be September, after the congressional August recess, before it is presented to Clinton.
Clinton has stated repeatedly that he will veto the G-O-P plans.
He says they are too big, would take away money from needed spending for Social Security and other domestic programs and risk the nation's future economic stability.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"On the bill Senate 1429 as amended, the yeas are 57, the nays 43. The bill as amended is agreed to."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Sam Brownback, Republican, Kansas
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mr President, if you are worried about Social Security, tell us how to fix it. But in the meantime, we put every single cent that belongs to Social Security in a lockbox. You didn't even want to do that Mr. President. You wanted to put 62 per cent when you sent us your budget. This bill makes pensions more accesible for women, makes health care more affordable, and makes it easier to care for an elderly parent."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Pete Domenici, Republican, New Mexico
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"They have a failed tax plan. If they were really serious about doing good things for the country, they would do something about reducing the five trillion-dollar debt that was caused by the last time they wanted to reduce taxes. And I should say they did reduce taxes. They created a five-trillion-dollar debt that we owe and are paying interest on every year."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Harry Reid, Democrat, Nevada
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Byron Dorgan, Democrat, North Dakota
The Senate plan would reduce the 15 percent tax bracket to 14 percent, ease the so-called marriage penalty, reduce estate taxes and increase contribution limits for Individual Retirement Accounts.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...