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Texas Agriculture Archive

May 3, 2002

FB: Senate should follow
House lead on death tax

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman recently praised House approval of a measure to make repeal of the federal death tax permanent.

The farm leader said permanent repeal of the onerous and punitive death tax is a high priority for America's farmers and ranchers.

"The costs associated with planning and protecting farm assets for future generations is a drain on the farm economy," Stallman said. "By making repeal of the death tax permanent—as the House has voted to do—America's farmers and ranchers would be able to invest the estate planning costs they're paying now, back into their families' operations and help pump up flagging rural economies."

Stallman called on Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to schedule a vote to make the repeal permanent. He said with the current repeal, scheduled to expire in 2011, something must be done and sooner is better than later.

"We have heard many senators talk about proposals to help save family farms," Stallman said. "Now is the time for the Senate to follow through. Vote to make repeal of the death tax permanent so this cloud hanging over so many producers' heads can be lifted once and for all."