 |
 |
| ||||||||
Hastert denies Republicans have abandoned Earned Income Tax Credit idea
October 5, 1999 WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite a news report to the contrary, a spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) said Monday that House Republicans have not decided to abandon a plan to raise revenue by paying the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in monthly installments rather than one lump sum payment. ABC News reported Monday evening that GOP leaders had decided to give up on the idea. When asked about that report, Hastert spokesman John Feehery said, "A final decision has not been made" regarding the EITC. Republicans devised the plan in order to offset about $8 billion of the bill funding the Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services Departments. Most Democrats, including President Bill Clinton, along with some Senate Republicans and Republican presidential front-runner Texas Gov. George W. Bush, have spoken out against the proposed GOP plan, saying that poorer Americans, the recipients of the tax credit, would suffer unduly. On Friday, CNN Congressional Correspondent Bob Franken reported that GOP leaders were rapidly retreating from the idea in the face of that criticism. Feehery confirmed that the plan is still under discussion, and that discussions will continue on Tuesday behind the scenes. There is a House Republican Conference meeting Tuesday morning and the issue will likely be discussed as part of the meeting. One alternative to delaying the EITC may be across-the-board cuts in all spending bills. House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich (R-Ohio) told GOP leaders they could find the more than $8 billion needed by cutting all 13 annual spending bills enough to reach that total amount of money. Kasich's proposal would apply the cuts to defense spending -- something not all Republicans like. The leaders made no final decisions, aides told the Associated Press. Supporters of the across-the-board cuts say it would let Republicans argue that the reductions are better than using Social Security surpluses or Clinton's plan for paying for extra spending by raising the federal tax on cigarettes. CNN's Ann Curley and The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
|
| |||||||
MORE STORIES:Tuesday, October 5, 1999
• Gore's campaign manager hasn't repaid loan, lawyer says • Gore gives 'Talk' his views on Vietnam • Ventura rebuffs reporters pressing him on interview fallout • Bush confident he can garner support in traditionally Democratic New York • Supreme Court steps into campaign contribution controversy • Hastert denies Republicans have abandoned Earned Income Tax Credit idea • Albright, others to defend test ban treaty in Senate • House Democrats try to force action on $1 minimum wage increase • As HMO vote looms, industry reps give speaker $1,000-a-plate breakfast • WALTER MEARS: Front-runners turn to offense after stumbles • Gore pledges largest increase ever for special education • Bush, Forbes to spend millions on TV ads • Administration urges quick action on FAA bill | |||||||||