Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stanczak:

Thank you for contacting me about the pending expiration of the Bush tax cuts. Absent congressional action, individual, estate, capital gains, and dividend tax rates will increase. In addition, a number of credits and deductions, such as the child tax credit, dependent care credit, and marriage deduction will decrease. I am hopeful that the Senate will consider an extension of these provisions in a timely manner.

I voted for the original tax cuts enacted during the Bush Administration and am in favor of minimizing our collective tax burden. I believe that lower taxes, along with constrained federal spending, will allow the economy to expand and provide jobs for Americans. The economy must grow vigorously for Americans to achieve a higher standard of living and for the government to function effectively.

Thank you, again, for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator