Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, a democrat, is blasting the U.S. House for passing a bill that would permanently repeal federal estate taxes. He says, “Well, all I can say is shame on the House for doing that. Here they’re cutting Social Security. They’re making people pay more in property taxes because we’re not funding our schools adequately. They won’t fund the individuals with disabilities education act to help our local school districts provide funding for special education.” The House has passed a permanent repeal of the so-called “death tax” three other times — but it’s failed to pass in the Senate. Harkin hopes that’s the case again. He says, “I call this the, the Paris Hilton bonanza estate tax break, because Paris Hilton was probably drinking champagne last night when she hear about this. You know, this only benefits the wealthiest heirs to huge fortunes at a high cost to our treasury. So I’m hoping it will die an early death here in the Senate.”President Bush called for an elimination of the tax during his recent trip to Cedar Rapids, saying it’s a matter of basic fairness.
