Earl Pomeroy: “Mr. Speaker, I represent the State of North Dakota. I represent more production acres of agriculture than any other…”

“Mr. Speaker, I represent the State of North Dakota. I represent more production acres of agriculture than any other Member of the House of Representatives. My, my, my, I have not heard so much concern about our family farmers in four terms in this Congress than I am hearing in the course of this debate. The fact of the matter is, it is time for a little truth in advertising. This bill is not about family farms, this bill is about tax relief for the wealthiest few in this country. Let us just take a look at the numbers to put this in perspective. Of taxable estates, those containing farm assets from 1995, 1996, and 1997 represented one-tenth of 1 percent of the taxable estates. That was before the increase, and a significant increase, bringing it to a $2.6 million unified credit today. It is time we raised that credit. If indeed that is the situation, even for a few family farms, let us address it and let us address it right now. The majority bill does not do that.”