CDF on Tax Plan
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Camera enters a crowded room of adult Caucasian male and female press corps gathered together filming adult Caucasian male members of the Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members; including U.S. House Representatives Charles Stenholm (D-TX), Phil Gramm (D-TX), Ralph Hall (D-TX), Carroll Hubbard (D-KY), and Richard Shelby (D-AL), all seated in a room together, chatting with each other. Press is ushered out after a minute; Rep. Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) asks one of the women: "Who you with, young lady?" She replies: "I'm with the radio/tv gallery."
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Adult Caucasian male Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members stand behind a makeshift podium placed on a table as U.S. House Representative Charles Stenholm (D-TX) begins press conference; Reps. Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS), Kent Hance (D-TX), Carroll Hubbard (D-KY), Richard Shelby (D-AL), and Phil Gramm (D-TX) stand among the members; adult Caucasian male and females sit in FG. The CDF has just concluded a meeting where members discussed what the tax reduction package should contain, but there was no firm consensus within the forum. Speaking primarily for himself, Rep. Stenholm believes there is a strong desire for this to be done in bipartisan. Rep. Stenholm turns it over to Rep. Hance, who he describes as a "point person for CDF" as far as what the tax reduction package should look like.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Adult Caucasian male Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members stand behind a makeshift podium as U.S. House Representative Ken Hance (D-TX) speaks; Reps. Charles Stenholm (D-TX) and Phil Gramm (D-TX) standing in BG; adult Caucasian male and females seated in FG. Rep. Hance states that every member of the forum had their say in what the tax proposal should include. Over the next week, the forum will continue to work with the leadership, encouraging them and the White House to work with one another to come to an agreement. Rep. Hance states there is strong support for a two and three year bill with tax "sweetners" that have been mentioned by both sides. He hopes leadership and the White House will come together to work out a compromise within the next week.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Adult Caucasian male Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members standing behind makeshift podium. U.S. House Representative Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) adds that the CDF finds itself in the same area as they were when discussing budget cuts; Reps. Charles Stenholm (D-TX), Phil Gramm (D-TX), Carroll Hubbard (D-KY), Ralph Hall (D-TX), and Richard Shelby (D-AL) stand in the BG. The two major points of contention are between the length of the tax cuts, two or three years, and the kinds of tax breaks. However, they all do want a compromise between the President, Republicans, and Democrats.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members Charles Stenholm (D-TX) and Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) stand behind U.S. House Representative Phil Gramm (D-TX) as he states his belief there is consensus on two things related to the budget as it relates to the tax cut; that the tax cut is the second half of the budget process and that there is strong group support for a compromise that lowers the deficit in the first year. The goal they are working towards lower taxes, but also lowers the federal deficit now and moves the government toward a balanced budget in 1984.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members Charles Stenholm (D-TX), Kent Hance (D-TX), and Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) stand behind U.S. House Representative Richard Shelby (D-AL), who believes that the meeting showed an ability to compromise with the Reagan Administration. It's unknown whether the compromise will end up being with the CDF or with the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL), but hopes it will be a Democratic compromise. If not, Rep. Shelby is still hopeful that the CDF can come up with a package that the administration can endorse.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members Charles Stenholm (D-TX), Kent Hance (D-TX), and Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) stand behind U.S. House Representative Carroll Hubbard (D-KY) as he lets everyone know he was the sole group member to vote against the Gramm-Latta Bill. Hubbard also realizes the President is popular and has faced backlash in his district for his vote. He preferred the House Budget Committee proposal. People still believe that the economy can be turned around if the President's tax and budget proposals is passed. He is hopeful that can be true, proving his vote to against to be a mistake. However, Hubbard is fearful that budget and tax cuts proposed by the President will not deliver the economic miracle everyone is hoping for. He believes any bill should go before the House Ways and Means Committee and be compared with the President's plan to make sure its right for the American people, not just what benefits the President or Democratic Party.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members Charles Stenholm (D-TX), Kent Hance (D-TX), and Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) stand behind U.S. House Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) who states that he in near total agreement with what has been said, with one exception. He believes the CDF holds the balance of power and is ready for this group to take a stand for what is right and in the best interest of the country. He is ready to embrace the program that Rep. Hance has introduced, which is based on a three year program, but not the Kemp-Roth proposal. Time is of the essence and the CDF should step forward with its proposal to see if other factions want to see what the CDF has accomplished. In any case, Rep. Hall believes the CDF represents a majority of the American people, whether they are Democrats, or Republicans, or Independents.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members, Reps. Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS), Ken Hance (D-TX), Carroll Hubbard (D-KY), Richard Shelby (D-AL), Ralph Hall (D-TX), and Phil Gramm (D-TX) behind podium on table; U.S. House Representative Charles Stenholm (D-TX) takes questions from offscreen adults. Man asks how many members want the 2 or 3 year tax bill, whether there's a preference for "across the board tax cuts" or something more targeted. Stenholm says the division between the bills was close; "across the board tax cuts" are not a topic of great concern. Stenholm replies to question on how long CDF will wait on the House Ways and Means Committee by stating that placing deadlines are not helpful, but time is of the essence. Woman asks about specific tax savings under CDF program, only to be told that there are no specifics, only generalities and compromise being discussed.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members, Reps. Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS), Kent Hance (D-TX), Carroll Hubbard (D-KY), Richard Shelby (D-AL), Ralph Hall (D-TX), and Phil Gramm (D-TX), standing behind podium; U.S. House Representative Charles Stenholm (D-TX) takes questions from adult men and women, off camera. Male reporter asks why did some advocate for a two year tax plan instead of three? Stenholm replies that the concern is looking too far ahead and what the budget deficit may or may not be, and he answers that he does not think the President will accept a two year plan at this point. Stenholm goes on to say that he hopes the CDF can find a missing link that will allow for compromise between a two and three year tax plan. More reporters ask about the possibility of an alternative Democratic plan coming out, one not discussed by the CDF, and if it would have to be more than one year. Stenholm would have to see the plan, but it would need to be more than one year.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members, Reps. Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS), Kent Hance (D-TX), Carroll Hubbard (D-KY), and Phil Gramm (D-TX), stand behind podium; U.S. House Representative Charles Stenholm (D-TX) takes questions from adult men and women, off camera. Male reporter asks if "triggering" was discussed and Stenholm says no. Man asks about Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill's (D-MA) willingness to compromise and Stenholm believes that Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) is more willing to do so than the Speaker. Rep. Hubbard adds that the President wants a compromise and does not want the Kemp-Roth tax plan, so the Democrats may be doing the President a favor by compromising. Stenholm answers question on compromise by stating that the first priority of the CDF is to make a deal with the Democratic leadership of the House that the President can also agree with.
CDF on Tax Cut Plan
Conservative Democratic Forum (CDF) members, Kent Hance (D-TX) and Phil Gramm (D-TX), standing behind podium at press conference. U.S. House Representative Charles Stenholm (D-TX) taking questions. Adult female reporter off camera, asks about the projected budget deficits between a two and three year tax plan. Rep. Gramm steps in to take the question and states that under the current proposed plan, Americans see no tax reduction in the first two years. Only in the third year are taxes are reduced. The projected deficit would be $20 billion in 1982, $9.35 billion in 1983, and $8.5 billion surplus in 1984 under the budget adopted in the conference report.