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November 14th, 2007 - Democrats Have Voted Against An AMT Fix At Least 5 Times This Congress
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: “The tax-filing season may be off to a shaky start even before it officially begins. Internal Revenue Service officials warn that millions of people may face delays in having their returns processed next year and getting billions of dollars in refunds. The problem: Congress still hasn't approved temporary relief for many people from the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, a parallel system that operates under many different rules than the regular system.” (Tom Herman, “Get Ready For Possible Refund Delays,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/14/07)
MCCLATCHY: “For the first time since 2001, it’s not clear that Congress will pass an annual temporary ‘patch’ in time to prevent the creeping Alternative Minimum Tax from forcing up tax payments for millions of unsuspecting middle-class taxpayers.” (Kevin G. Hall, “Congress Running Out Of Time To Patch The AMT,” McClatchy Newspapers, 11/06/07)
THE BALTIMORE SUN: “Legislators have yet to agree on a temporary fix to the alternative minimum tax. Without it, an extra 21 million tax filers will be hit with the AMT in the coming filing season and pay on average $2,000 more in federal taxes. Politicians don't want to anger that many voters, so a fix is almost assured. That means you won't have to change your year-end tax planning. But if you're counting on an early refund, you could be disappointed.” (Eileen Ambrose, “A Late Fix To AMT May Stall Refunds,” The Baltimore Sun, 11/13/07)
DEMOCRAT RHETORIC
SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO): “The AMT Was Never Designed To Reach Down Into The Middle Class, As It Does And Will Continue To Do In An Ever-Increasing Way, To Cause Even More Stress And Pressure On A Middle Class That Believes It Is Under Attack From All Sides.” (Sen. McCaskill, Congressional Record, S.1834, 02/12/07)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D-NY): "[I] Will Reform Something Called The Alternative Minimum Tax, The AMT, To Make Sure It Doesn't Hit Middle Class Families With Higher Tax Rates. It Was Never Intended To Do That." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, Policy Speech On "Rebuilding The Middle Class: Hillary Clinton's Economic Blueprint For The 21st Century," Cedar Rapids, IA, 10/8/07)
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “AMT Relief Is A Critical Part Of The Senate's Version Of This Bill, And We All Must Do Everything We Can To Ensure That This Tax—Which Affects Middle-Class And Upper-Middle-Class Taxpayers, Above All—Is Addressed This Year.” (Sen. Schumer, Congressional Record, S.412, 02/01/06)
SEN. TED KENNEDY (D-MA): “The Alternative Minimum Tax Was Never Intended To Apply To Middle-Class Families, And They Deserve Tax Relief.” (Sen. Kennedy, Congressional Record, S.1085, 02/13/06)
REALITY
This Year Senate Democrats Have Repeatedly Voted Against Fixing The AMT
SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY’S (R-IA) Amendment To Fully Repeal The AMT – Democrats In Favor: ZERO. S.AMDT.471: “To amend the budget resolution for fiscal year 2008 in order to accommodate the full repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax preventing 23 million families and individuals from being subject to the AMT in 2007, and millions of families and individuals in subsequent years.” (S.AMDT.471 To S. Con Res. 21, CQ Vote #108: Rejected 44-53: R 44-3; D 0-48; I 0-2, 03/23/07)
SEN. JON KYL’S (R-AZ) Amendment To Permanently Repeal The AMT -- Democrats In Favor: ONE. “Kyl, R-Ariz., motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Conrad, D-N.D., point of order against the Kyl amendment no. 2353, to the Kennedy, D-Mass., substitute amendment no. 2327. The Kyl amendment would permanently repeal the alternative minimum tax. The substitute would cut government subsidies to student loan firms by more than $18 billion, boost the maximum Pell grant by $700, to $5,400, by 2011, and establish a new ‘Promise’ grant for the neediest Pell recipients. It also would cap student loan repayments at 15 percent of discretionary income.” (H.R. 2669, CQ Vote #271: Motion Rejected 47-49: R 46-1; D 1-46; I 0-2, 07/20/07)
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS’ (R-AL) Amendment To Save Families From The AMT – Democrats In Favor: ZERO. S.AMDT.473:“To save families from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) first by permitting a deduction for personal exemptions for purposes of computing the AMT.” (S.AMDT.473 To S.Con.Res.21, Roll Call Vote # 100, Amendment Failed, 46-53: R:46-3; D:0-48; I 0-2, 03/23/07)
SEN. TRENT LOTT’S (R-MS) Amendment To Lower The AMT – Democrats In Favor: ONE. S.AMDT.606: “To repeal section 13203 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 by restoring the Alternative Minimum Tax rates that had been in effect prior thereto.” (S.AMDT.606 To S. Con Res. 21, CQ Vote #113: Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/23/07)
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER’S (R-PA) Amendment To Lower The AMT – Democrats In Favor: ONE. S.AMDT.2557: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reset the rate of tax under the alternative minimum tax at 24 percent.” (S.AMDT.2557 To S.AMDT.2530 To H.R.976, Roll Call Vote #295, Rejected 47-52: R 46-3; D 1-47; I 0-2, 08/02/07)
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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
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