THE TRUTH ABOUT CONGRESSMAN HAROLD FORD JR. AND TAXES

(Nashville) - Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D-Memphis) continues to mislead Tennesseans about his record of voting against tax cuts. The truth is Congressman Ford has voted over 70 times against lowering taxes on hardworking folks in Tennessee.

“Congressman Harold Ford isn't being honest with Tennesseans when it comes to cutting taxes on hardworking folks in our state. The truth is Congressman Ford has one of the worst voting records in Congress when it comes to high taxes,” said Bob Davis, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CONGRESSMAN FORD AND TAXES
CONGRESSMAN FORD VOTED AGAINST 2001/2003 TAX CUTS THAT BENEFIT TENNESSEE

The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts Provided Tax Relief To More Than Two Million Tennesseans. (United States Department Of The Treasury Website, www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/ty2003.pdf, Accessed August 13, 2006)

The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts Provided Marriage Penalty Relief For 636,000 Tennesseans. (United States Department Of The Treasury Website, www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/ty2003.pdf, Accessed August 13, 2006)

The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts Increased Child Tax Credit For 575,000 Tennesseans. (United States Department Of The Treasury Website, www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/ty2003.pdf, Accessed August 13, 2006)

The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts Created New 10% Bracket For 1,814,000 Tennesseans. (United States Department Of The Treasury Website, www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/ty2003.pdf, Accessed August 13, 2006)

471,000 Businesses In Tennessee Received Tax Relief From President Bush’s Tax Cuts. (United States Department Of The Treasury Website, www.treas.gov/press/releases/reports/ty2003.pdf, Accessed August 13, 2006)

CONGRESSMAN FORD VOTED AGAINST THE 2001/2003 TAX CUTS

Ford Voted At Least Twice Against The 2001 Bush Tax Cuts. (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #149: Adopted 240-154: R 211-0; D 28-153; I 1-1, May 26, 2001, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #118: Passed 230-197; R 216-0; D 13-196; I 1-1, May 16, 2001, Ford Voted Nay)

Ford Voted At Least Twice Against The Jobs And Growth Reconciliation Tax Act Of 2003. (H.R. 2, CQ Vote #225: Adopted 231-200: R 224-1; D 7-198; I 0-1, May 23, 2003, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #182: Passed 222-203: R 218-3; D 4-199; I 0-1, May 9, 2003, Ford Voted Nay)

And As Recently As May, Ford Voted Against Extending The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts. (H. Con. Res. 376, CQ Vote #156: Rejected 94-331: R 94-134; D 0-196; I 0-1, May 18, 2006, Ford Voted Nay)

If The Tax Cuts Are Not Made Permanent, A Family Of Four Will See Their Taxes Increase About $2,000. “Without permanent tax relief, millions of Americans will see their taxes go up by billions of dollars in 2011. A Family of Four with Two Children…$50k annual income today ($56,300 in 2011) = $2,092 increase (from $1,583 to $3,675 tax bill) = 132% higher tax bill; or $60k annual income today ($67,600 in 2011) = $1,858 increase (from $3,207 with to $4,275) = 58% higher tax bill.

Tax Increases On Average...
115 million taxpayers – $1,716 increase;
84 million women – $1,970 increase;
48 million married couples – $2,726 increase;
42 million families with children – $2,084 increase;
12 million single women with children – $1,062 increase;
17 million seniors – $2,034 increase; and
26 million small business owners –$3,637 increase.”(United States Department Of The Treasury, “Fact Sheet – 2011 Taxes: Millions Could See Billions In Increases,” http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/reports/2011taxesmillions.pdf, August 25, 2006)

According To The Heritage Foundation, Expiration Of The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cut Bills Would Lead To A 50% Reduction In The Child Tax Credit As Well As Other Tax Increases. “The central provisions of these landmark tax bills are scheduled to expire over the next five years, which means that taxes will rise dramatically for most taxpayers.
Tax rates will rise substantially in each tax bracket, some by 450 basis points;
Low-income taxpayers will see the 10-percent tax bracket disappear, and they will have to pay taxes at the 15-percent rate;
Married taxpayers will see the marriage penalty return;
Taxpayers with children will lose 50 percent of their child tax credits;
Taxes on dividends will increase beginning on January 1, 2009;
Taxes on capital gains will increase, also beginning on January 1, 2009; and
Federal death taxes will come back to life in 2011, after fading down to nothing in 2010.”(William W. Beach and Rea S. Hederman, Jr., “Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent,” The Heritage Foundation, WebMemo #956, http://www.heritage.org/Research/Taxes/wm956.cfm, January 5, 2006)

CONGRESSMAN FORD VOTED AGAINST INCOME TAX REDUCTION

Ford Has Voted At Least Ten Times Against Income Tax Relief That Could Benefit Small Businesses. (H.R. 2, CQ Vote #225: Adopted 231-200: R 224-1; D 7-198; I 0-1, May 23, 2003, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #182: Passed 222-203: R 218-3; D 4-199; I 0-1, May 9, 2003, Ford Voted Nay; H.R.586, CQ Vote #103: Motion Agreed To 229-198: R 219-1; D 9-196; I 1-1, April 18, 2002, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 622, CQ Vote #38: Motion Agreed To 225-199: R 214-1; D 10-197; I 1-1, February 14, 2002, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #404: Passed 216-214: R 212-7; D 3-206; I 1-1, October 24, 2001,Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #149: Adopted 240-154: R 211-0; D 28-153; I 1-1, May 26, 2001, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #118: Passed 230-197: R 216-0; D 13-196; I 1-1, May 16, 2001, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 3, CQ Vote #45: Passed 230-198: R 219-0; D 10-197; I 1-1, March 8, 2001, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #379: Adopted 221-206: R 216-4; D 5-201; I 0-1, August 5, 1999, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #333: Passed 223-208: R 217-4; D 6-203; I 0-1, July 22, 1999, Ford Voted Nay)

CONGRESSMAN FORD OPPOSES ELIMINATION OF THE DEATH TAX

The National Federation Of Independent Business Supports Death Tax Repeal. “The federal death tax, or ‘estate tax,’ affects all Americans, especially small-business owners. The death tax creates a disincentive to expand a business, create jobs, and far too often, literally taxes family businesses right out of the family. It is important to note that much of the cost of the death tax occurs before the tax itself is levied. The threat of the tax actually forces small-business owners to pay for expensive estate planning if they want to keep their business in the family. . . . President Bush has repeatedly called on Congress to make permanent death-tax repeal and other tax relief from the tax bill of 2001. Until the death tax is permanently repealed, it will continue to kill small businesses.” (National Federation Of Independent Business Website, http://www.nfib.com/page/deathTaxRepeal.html, Accessed August 31, 2006)

Congressman Ford Told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews “Eliminating” The Death Tax “Altogether Is Foolish.” “I think eliminating it altogether is foolish. . . . A lot of democrats believe, the Blue Dogs which I’m a member of, believe you raise the amount you protect and you gotta tax some of it. . . . Don’t take this the wrong way, but people worth $150, $200, $250 million, they’re going to be all right.” (Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., MSNBC’s “Hardball,” March 23, 2006)
And Just Last Year, Ford Voted Against Permanent Repeal Of The Death Tax Contained In The 2001 Tax Cut Law. (H.R. 8, CQ Vote #102: Passed 272-162: R 230-1; D 42-160; I 0-1, April 13, 2005, Ford Voted Nay)

The Chattanooga Times Free Press Called The Death Tax “An Unfair Tax Burden On Tennesseans.” “Furthermore, the death tax is a very unfair tax. Savers pay taxes once when they earn. Then if they invest their savings and earn dividends, they suffer double taxation when earnings are taxed once at the corporate level and then a second time on the personal level. Then if they have saved substantially or invested in a family business or family farm, that same money may be taxed a third time -- confiscated -- at death. . . . It’s sad when political-economic envy and attempts to legislate what is really unconstitutional result in an unfair tax burden on Tennesseans.” (Editorial, “How Envy Taxes Tennesseans,” Chattanooga Times Free Press, August 8, 2006)

But Congressman Ford Has Voted At Least Five Times Against Repeal Or Relief Of The Death Tax. (H.R. 8, CQ Vote #102: Passed 272-162: R 230-1; D 42-160; I 0-1, April 13, 2005, Ford Voted Nay; H.Res. 524, CQ Vote #401: Adopted 242-158: R 200-3; D 42-155; I 0-0, September 19, 2002, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 2143, CQ Vote #217: Motion Rejected 197-231: R 6-212; D 190-18; I 1-1, June 6, 2002, Ford Voted Yea, Ford Voted Yea; H.R. 3081, CQ Vote #41: Passed 257-169: R 215-1; D 41-167; I 1-1, March 9, 2000, Ford Voted Nay; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #245: Passed 253-179: R 226-1; D 27-177; I 0-1, June 26, 1997, Ford Voted Nay)

If Not Repealed, Small Businesses And Other Estates Would Be Subject To A Maximum 55% Death Tax Beginning In 2011. “Under current law (pl 107-16), the estate tax is being phased out and will disappear in 2010. But it would revert to pre-2001 levels in 2011 without congressional action, with a maximum levy of 55 percent.” (Rachel Van Dongen, “Estate Tax Package Generates Conservatives’ Support — With a Few Caveats,” CQ Today, June 22, 2006)
“Federal Budget Data Indicate That Estate Taxes Will Raise $28 Billion This Year, Accounting For 1.2 Percent Of Total Federal Revenues. However, If The Estate Tax Were Repealed, Income And Capital Gains Tax Revenues Would Increase To Partly Or Fully Offset The Loss In Estate Tax Revenues.” (Chris Edwards, “Repealing the Federal Estate Tax,” CATO Institute, June 2006)

CONGRESSMAN FORD VOTES AGAINST EASING TAX BURDEN

Ford Voted More Than 70 Times Against Lower Taxes. (H. Con. Res. 284, CQ Vote #208, June 5, 1998; H. Con. Res. 284, CQ Vote #209, June 5, 1998; H. Con. Res. 284, CQ Vote #210, June 5, 1998; H. Con. Res. 376, CQ Vote #155, May 17, 2006; H. Con. Res. 376, CQ Vote #156, May 18, 2006; H. Con. Res. 376, CQ Vote #158, May 18, 2006; H. Con. Res. 393, CQ Vote #89, March 25, 2004; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #76, March 25, 1999; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #77, March 25, 1999; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #80, April 12, 1999; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #85, April 14, 1999; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #104, May 9, 2001; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #67, March 28, 2001; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #68, March 28, 2001; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #69, March 28, 2001; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #70, March 28, 2001; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #141, April 11, 2003; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #82, March 21, 2003; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #88, March 17, 2005; H. Res. 524, CQ Vote #401, September 19, 2002; H. Res. 685, CQ Vote #301, June 24, 2004; H.R. 1817, CQ Vote #184, Adopted 363-65, May 18, 2005; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #117, May 16, 2001; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #118, May 16, 2001; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #149, May 26, 2001; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #180, May 9, 2003; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #181, May 9, 2003; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #182, May 9, 2003; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #225, May 23, 2003; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #243, June 26, 1997; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #245, June 26, 1997; H.R. 2143, CQ Vote #218, June 6, 2002; H.R. 2400, CQ Vote #97, April 1, 1998; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #33, July 22, 1999; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #332, July 22, 1999; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #356, August 2, 1999; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #378, August 5, 1999; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #379, August 5, 1999; H.R. 2555, CQ Vote #305, June 24, 2003; H.R. 2660, CQ Vote #347, July 10, 2003; H.R. 2660, CQ Vote #348, July 10, 2003; H.R. 3, CQ Vote #44, March 8, 2001; H.R. 3, CQ Vote #45, March 8, 2001; H.R. 3081, CQ Vote #41, March 9, 2000; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #402, October 24, 2001; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #403, October 24, 2001; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #404, October 24, 2001; H.R. 4019, CQ Vote #228, June 13, 2002; H.R. 4181, CQ Vote #136, April 28, 2004; H.R. 4275, CQ Vote #169, May 13, 2004; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #121, May 3, 2006; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #134, May 10, 2006; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #619, December 8, 2005; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #620, December 8, 2005; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #621, December 8, 2005; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #7, February 8, 2006; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #74, March 29, 2006; H.R. 4579, CQ Vote #468, September 26, 1998; H.R. 4579, CQ Vote #469, September 26, 1998; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #390, July 12, 2000; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #391, July 12, 2000; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #392, July 12, 2000; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #408, July 18, 2000; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #418, July 20, 2000; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #466, September 13, 2000; H.R. 4865, CQ Vote #450, July 27, 2000; H.R. 586, CQ Vote #103, April 18, 2002; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #14, February 10, 2000; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #15, February 10, 2000; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #73, March 29, 2001; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #74, March 29, 2001; H.R. 622, CQ Vote #38, February 14, 2002; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #101, April 13, 2005; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #102, April 13, 2005; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #252, June 9, 2000; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #287, June 18, 2003; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #82, April 4, 2001; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #83, April 4, 2001; H.R.586, CQ Vote #103, April 18, 2002)