Estate tax veto leaves issue for fall campaigns

WASHINGTON -- House Republican leaders are vowing a prompt attempt to override President Clinton's veto of a bill repealing inheritance taxes, but if that fails the so-called death tax debate will play out in the fall election campaigns.

Republicans say they will make sure voters understand that if Congress remains in GOP control and George W. Bush wins the White House over Al Gore, the estate tax will undoubtedly be repealed.

"This choice is clear: Al Gore and the Democrats will continue the death tax, and Governor Bush and the Republicans will end it," said Rep. Bill Archer, R-Texas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Democrats, however, say the GOP refused to consider less-costly compromise provisions to help the family farmers and small businesses sometimes hit hard by estate taxes, such as raising exemptions for them without giving a windfall to the wealthiest taxpayers.

"Americans do not want election-year antics such as Republicans passing bills designed to be vetoed just so they can have some talking points," said Rep. Charles Rangel of New York.