Congressman from 5th District renews commitment to Washington's taxpayers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Candidate George Nethercutt (R), a Congressman from the 5th District of Washington, has signed the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Signers of the Pledge solemnly commit themselves to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."

Congressman Nethercutt is in the race to unseat Senator Patty Murray (D) in 2004. Senator Murray has refused to sign the taxpayer protection pledge, leading many Washingtonians to worry when tax issues come before the U.S. Senate.

"Congressman Nethercutt has always been a friend of taxpayers. After all, when he was first elected to the House, he defeated a man notorious for helping to orchestrate the largest tax increase in American history," said taxpayer advocate and ATR President Grover Norquist. "We're completely delighted, if not altogether surprised, that he has renewed his commitment to working for the taxpayers of Washington."

Nethercutt has served in the U.S. House since 1994, when he defeated Speaker of the House Tom Foley. That was no small task, considering no sitting speaker had been sent to defeat for more than 100 years. Speaker Foley had worked fervently in the House to secure passage of the largest tax increase in American history-an act that did not go unnoticed back in the 5th District. As in the present U.S. Senate race, there was an extremely clear distinction between the candidates on tax policy.

ATR has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987. To date, President George W. Bush, 42 U.S. senators and 217 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (three of whom represent Washington) have signed the Pledge. Additionally, eight governors and 1,200 state legislators have also signed the Pledge.

"I hope that every candidate for the Senate this year will follow George Nethercutt's example and sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Americans are taxed too much, not too little," Norquist continued.

Copies of the Pledge are available at www.atr.org or by calling (202) 785-0266.