The Kindest Cuts

IN a meeting last month to discuss the congressional agenda, President Bush reminded the Senate’s Republican leaders that the new player in town would have plenty to say about legislative strategy. “The ball’s in my court, now,” Bush said, and he declared that he wanted his tax-relief plan to be an early priority. Congressional aides report that in planning sessions transition officials echo Bush’s intent to push his tax-cut bill “early and hard.” But it will be an uphill push: Early discussions on Capitol Hill about the timing and structure of the tax bill reflect the difficulties Bush will face as he tries to deliver on this key campaign promise.

As president-elect, Bush took every opportunity to emphasize his resolve to enact significant tax relief. During the campaign, he had argued that a portion of the surplus ought to be returned to taxpayers as a matter of fairness, and also to serve as a brake on Washington spending. Since the election, in the face of gloomy economic indicators, he has called his tax-relief package an “economic-recovery plan,” featuring rate cuts to stimulate growth and to offset the rising cost of energy to consumers.

About the Author

Kate O'Beirne

Featured Tags

IN a meeting last month to discuss the congressional agenda, President Bush reminded the Senate’s Republican leaders that the new player in town would have plenty to say about legislative strategy. “The ball’s in my court, now,” Bush said, and he declared that he wanted his tax-relief plan to be an early priority. Congressional aides report that in planning sessions transition officials echo Bush’s intent to push his tax-cut bill “early and hard.” But it will be an uphill push: Early discussions on Capitol Hill about the timing and structure of the tax bill reflect the difficulties Bush will face as he tries to deliver on this key campaign promise.

As president-elect, Bush took every opportunity to emphasize his resolve to enact significant tax relief. During the campaign, he had argued that a portion of the surplus ought to be returned to taxpayers as a matter of fairness, and also to serve as a brake on Washington spending. Since the election, in the face of gloomy economic indicators, he has called his tax-relief package an “economic-recovery plan,” featuring rate cuts to stimulate growth and to offset the rising cost of energy to consumers.