Taxpayer group calls on candidate put his promised support on paper

WASHINGTON , D.C. - The House and Senate yesterday overwhelmingly approved bi-partisan middle-class tax relief, extending President Bush's landmark middle class tax cuts. John Kerry has repeatedly said he supports the principles contained, which provides crucial relief for middle class families and small business owners through 2010.

Americans for Tax Reform, a nonpartisan advocacy group representing taxpayers nationwide, is asking Mr. Kerry to put his support for middle class tax cuts in writing.

"If John Kerry really wants to protect middle class tax relief, it's time for him to put his money where his mouth is," said ATR President Grover Norquist. "Based on his horrendous 19 year voting record, taxpayers do not believe Kerry actually supports middle-class tax relief."

The legislation will ensure existing tax cuts do not expire at the end of the year, including the per child tax credit at $1,000 per year, the expanded 10 percent tax rate that lowers tax bills for virtually all taxpayers, and marriage penalty relief. In addition, the measure extends for one year relief from the alternative minimum tax, which was intended to make sure that wealthy Americans did not escape paying taxes but is starting to ensnare increasing ranks of middle income earners.

Conversely, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry has consistently voted against middle class tax relief. On the campaign trail he says he would vote to extend these measures. However, he has spent his entire career voting against the same measures which will be extended. In fact, he voted against President Bush's tax relief bills in 2001 and 2003, which include all of these provisions. In total, he voted against marriage penalty relief 22 times and against expanding the child tax credit 18 times.

"John Kerry must make clear to the American people whether he will protect the wellbeing of middle class taxpayers, or whether he will hike their taxes," continued Norquist. "If Kerry truly intends to uphold middle class tax cuts , he should have no problem putting that in writing with no exceptions."