A bill to permanently repeal the federal death tax passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a 240-179 vote.
Of Alabama’s Congressional delegation, U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville; Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville; Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope; Martha Roby, R-Montgomery; and Mike Rogers, R-Saks, co-sponsored the bill and voted “yes.” U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, of Alabama also voted “yes,” while U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Montgomery, voted against the bill.
“We appreciate the support from the House of Representatives to pass this bill, which unfairly hurts our nation’s farmers when they are already dealing with the pain of losing a family member,” said Mitt Walker, director of National Legislative Programs for the Alabama Farmers Federation.
Known as the “Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015,” the bill is supported by the Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
What Alabama’s Congressional delegation is saying:
- Robert Aderholt: “At a difficult time when families are dealing with the loss of a loved one, the last thing they need is Uncle Sam knocking at the door with his hand out taking advantage of a family’s grief. Any added revenue the death tax brings into the national treasury is not worth the burden it puts on families and the destruction it causes, especially to small businesses and family farms.”
- Mo Brooks: “An American citizen who has produced and accumulated wealth was already taxed enough during his lifetime. It should be everyone’s right to pass on their hard-earned, after-tax wealth to their loved ones without the government seizing their property simply because they have died.”
- Bradley Byrne: “The death tax represents only a tiny fraction of federal revenue, yet it can be a devastating financial burden upon a family member’s death, especially for farmers and land owners. Congress should be looking for ways to get the government off the backs of family farms rather than passing unfair burdens on to the next generation.”
- Gary Palmer: “This is long overdue. The death tax presents a significant danger to family farmers and other small businesses. The death tax...was intended to be temporary. I doubt it was ever good policy, but in any event, the purpose for it has long passed and it is time it meet its permanent end.”
- Martha Roby: “It is ridiculous that Americans who work hard, play by the rules and pay taxes on their successful earnings cannot pass along a family inheritance without the government taking almost half. I was proud to vote to repeal the Death Tax today, and I am glad we are one step closer to seeing it finished for good.”
- Mike Rogers: “I was pleased to join the Alabama delegation in support of a repeal of the death tax today. This tax hurts families and small businesses, including east Alabama’s family farmers, and crushes the desire to be successful.”
Mary Johnson
(334) 235-1406
