Senate Tax Writer: Reform Report 'Dead'

WASHINGTON -- The Senate's top Democratic tax writer said Tuesday that a presidentially appointed panel's recommendations for overhauling tax laws don't stand a chance in Congress, The Associated Press reported.

"That thing's dead. That's dead, Mr. Secretary," Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., told Treasury Secretary John Snow, who had been called before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss the president's budget.

"We don't accept that," Snow replied.

"Congress thinks it's dead," Baucus said. "That's going nowhere."

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said later in a statement that it may be premature to declare tax reform dead.

"The president has the greatest bully pulpit in the country. He can elevate an issue whenever he wants," Grassley said.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 2/9/06