Republicans Pledge to Try to Override Clinton Veto

September 6, 2000 10:50 AM, EDT

Congress will vote Sept. 7 whether to override President Clinton’s veto of the bill that would have provided estate tax relief to family-owned businesses, including trucking companies, beginning next year.

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On Aug. 31, Clinton vetoed the legislation that would have phased out the estate, or inheritance, tax over 10 years. The president said he axed the repeal plan because it would benefit the “most well-off Americans at the expense of working families.” The White House also feared that repeal of the tax would hurt efforts to pay down the national debt and strengthen Medicare.

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said immediately after the president’s action that an attempt to undo the veto would be the “first priority” of the Republican-controlled Congress when it returned from the August recess.

The vote may have little chance to succeed, since there does not appear to be the two-thirds majority in both chambers needed to override the veto, said the White House.

For the full story, see the Sept. 4 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.