February 02,2006

Grassley: Congress Can Extend Both AMT, Capital Gains Relief

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Re: AMT relief vs. dividend and capital gains relief
Da: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006

The following comment is from Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on
Finance, regarding Sen. Menendez’ sense of the Senate on prioritizing Alternative Minimum Tax
(AMT) relief and dividend and capital gains relief during the debate on the tax reconciliation bill
tonight.

“Once again, I want to dispute the presumption that we must choose between extension of
the AMT hold-harmless and capital gains and dividends relief. This bill can be designed to do both,
and in a perfect world, I would absolutely insist that we do both. However, I acknowledge that we
do not live in a perfect world. This sense of the Senate prioritizes extension of the AMT holdharmless
relative to the extension of dividends and capital gains relief in conference report
agreement negotiations. But that is not a new vote for this body. Senator Menendez’ sense of the
Senate just reflects the position and will of the Senate as was reflected in the bill that passed in
November. And we are here to reaffirm that position today. A vote for the Menendez amendment
merely supports the Senate reconciliation bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote for the
amendment.”