Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) walking into a Senate hearing room, past gathered adult Caucasian male press corps, and steps up to lectern with microphone; adult Caucasian male seated behind him, smoking. Sen. Dole says he wanted to wait for U.S. President-Elect Ronald Reagan to speak before he would make any committee. Seeing how that just happened, and listening to his message, Sen. Dole understands that the President wants Congress to pass his tax cut bill before it adjourns at the end of the year. Sen. Dole has consulted with fellow high ranking Republicans, such as Sen. Howard Baker (R-TN), and they are in agreement. He jokes that after receiving a call from Sen. Russell Long (D-LA) he's not sure how to proceed as the majority party, but Sen. Long isn't sure either how to proceed in the minority. They will continue to work in bi-partisan manner, starting by passing the Finance Committee Bill this year, and getting tax cuts passed by the end of the year.
Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) continues speaking at press conference on taking back the Senate and becoming Chairman of Senate Finance Committee; which was not entirely expected by picking up nine seats. Sen. Dole believes the Senate will continue to move forward in a bi-partisan way. He begins outlining Senate priorities regarding the budget and tax cut (audio distorted).
Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) takes a question from adult female (o/s) at press conference; adult Caucasian male seated off to the side. He proceeds to answer before adult male (o/s) asks him to repeat the question given, which was on which tax cut bill is being discussed. Sen. Dole says he is talking about the bill that passed out of the Senate Finance Committee, 19-1, is waiting for a floor vote, would take effect in January of 1981, save billions in 1981, specifically $22 billion for individuals and $17 billion for businesses. Adult male (o/s) asks a question and Sen. Dole responds that it is not precisely a bill that U.S. President-Elect Ronald Reagan supported, but it does reduce tax rates. Once Reagan is inaugurated, he is welcome to suggest modifications, but that will reset the legislative process. Sen. Dole believes the economy, individuals, and businesses need this tax bill now, and there is bipartisan agreement to proceed with the current bill (poor audio).
Senator Bob Dole - Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) continues answering questions at press conference; Sen. John Heinz (R-PA) joins him. Sen. Dole answers question asked by adult male (o/s) on whether the tax bill can be passed before the end of the year, provided it survives any last minute amendments, and whether the U.S. House of Representatives will act on any tax bill this year. He states that what the House will do is unknown, then jokes with Sen. Heinz for a moment before returning to the question. Sen. Dole believes an agreement can be made to limit amendments based on time constraints, such as the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas recess, but he cannot speak for what the House will do.
Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) answering questions at press conference with Sen. John Heinz (R-PA). Adult male (o/s) asks question regarding the pending tax bill and possible actions by the U.S. House of Representatives. Sen. Dole is careful not to endorse any further actions until it is known what the House will do. Sen. Dole simply believes, and thinks Sen. Heinz does as well, that tax cut legislation ought to be passed before the end of the year; adult Caucasian male seated off to the side of Senators Dole and Heinz. Sen. Heinz adds that unless he had assurances of better terms for a tax package that could be passed promptly, he would advocate for passing the current legislation now, before the end of the year; adult Caucasian, predominantly males, standing behind cameras, listening to Sen. Heinz; Adult Caucasian male taking photographs as Sen. Heinz endorses Sen. Dole's Chairmanship for the Senate Finance Committee.
Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) answering questions at press conference with Sen. John Heinz (R-PA). Adult male (o/s) asks question about the proposed tax cut legislation being considered; adult Caucasian, predominantly males, standing or sitting around the the dais, listening. Sen. Dole acknowledges it will take a lot of work to get the tax bill passed before the end of the year. Sen. Dole thinks the tax bill is not inflationary and does support the supply side of economics, and will stimulate the economy. (Poor audio) Sen. Dole takes other questions, listening, then responding. Sen. Heinz speaking.
Senator Bob Dole : Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator John Heinz (R-PA) speaking at press conference about stalled reconciliation bill; standing with Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS). He believes it is important for Congress to act on the reconciliation bill which would save the country a great deal of money in the current fiscal year and in future years to come. Sen. Dole adds that the Senate has gone a long way to finish that bill in conference, then calls over Pete Domenici (R-MN), who entered in the BG; adult Caucasian male seated, taking notes to the side of Sens. Dole and Heinz. Adult male (o/s) asks if Sen. Dole will push for a reduction of the windfall profits tax in the upcoming year; adult Caucasian, predominantly males, standing or seated around the dais. Sen. Dole says many Republicans were onboard with the windfall tax in committee, but fell off in conference because those taxes were effecting small producers and royalty owners. Sen. Dole believes in modifying the tax.