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Hillary Clinton on Taxes and Budget

This candidate has withdrawn from the election
Strongly supports an increase in taxes for the wealthiest Americans

Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York said money from the elimination of tax cuts that were a cornerstone of President Bush's economic policies would finance universal health care for all Americans. She criticized Bush for what she called his indifference to income inequity. "When the Bush administration came in they were determined to tilt the balance back to the wealthy," Clinton said.

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However, Clinton already has plans for any rollback of the Bush "tax cuts for the wealthy." According to Clinton's Web site, her $110-billion health care plan would be financed in part by rolling back President George W. Bush's 2001 tax cuts for those in the top two tax brackets.

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Supports tax cuts for middle-class families

For middle class Americans, I will extend the tax cuts including the child tax credit, the marriage penalty relief, and lower income tax rates that they currently pay. And I will reform something called the Alternative Minimum Tax, the AMT, to make sure it doesn't hit middle class families with higher tax rates. It was never intended to do that. I will also expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to help families that are struggling to join the middle class. And I will be providing tax credits to help small businesses pay for health care.

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"For middle-class American's lets keep the middle-class tax cuts, and reform the Alternative Minimum Tax in order to give middle-class American's the tax relief they deserve to have."

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Strongly opposes a flat tax system across income levels

Clinton has sponsored legislation designed to reduce the deficit by reinstating some taxes that had been cut. She has co-sponsored legislation related to debt and deficit reduction

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"Many of you are well enough off that ... the tax cuts may have helped you," Sen. Clinton said. "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

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Strongly opposes a Constitutional amendment that would require Congress and the President to balance the budget each year

MRS. CLINTON ATTACKS MEASURE WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Special to The New York Times) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton warned the Association of American Medical Colleges today that the balanced budget amendment, along with efforts to limit Medicare and Medicaid spending, were serious threats to their institutions.

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Strongly opposes eliminating taxes on estates after an individual's death

Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million

Kyl Amendment; Bill S.Amdt.507 on S.Con.Res.21 ; vote number 2007-083 on Mar 21, 2007

Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts

Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act; Bill H.R. 5970 ; vote number 2006-229 on Aug 3, 2006

Voted NO on permanently repealing "death tax."

Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act; Bill HR 8 ; vote number 2006-164 on Jun 8, 2006

Strongly supports the elimination of the marriage penalty which more greatly taxes couples with similar incomes

Hillary campaign website claims support for ending the marriage penalty

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Voted YES on eliminating marriage penalty

Bill HR.4810 ; vote number 2000-215 on Jul 18, 2000

Opposes the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax

Voted no on repealing Alternative Minimum Tax

Grassley Amendment; Bill S.Amdt.471 on S.Con.Res.21 ; vote number 2007-108 on Mar 23, 2007

I'll tell you something that we are going to have to deal with, the alternative minimum tax, which falls heavily on a lot of you and your families. You know, for six years I've been saying, with all due respect, do the billionaires in America need more tax cuts? Don't you think we ought to cut the taxes of middle income people, in particular those who are going to be hit by the alternative minimum tax?

IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington DC Mar 14, 2007

For middle class Americans, I will extend the tax cuts including the child tax credit, the marriage penalty relief, and lower income tax rates that they currently pay. And I will reform something called the Alternative Minimum Tax, the AMT, to make sure it doesn't hit middle class families with higher tax rates. It was never intended to do that. I will also expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to help families that are struggling to join the middle class. And I will be providing tax credits to help small businesses pay for health care.

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"For middle-class American's lets keep the middle-class tax cuts, and reform the Alternative Minimum Tax in order to give middle-class American's the tax relief they deserve to have."

Watch Video Now (new)

Supports the reduction of taxes on capital gains

Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut

Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act; Bill S Amdt 2737 to HR 4297 ; vote number 2006-008 on Feb 2, 2006

Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains and dividends

Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act; Bill HR 4297 ; vote number 2006-010 on Feb 2, 2006

Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends

Tax Relief Act of 2005; Bill S. 2020 ; vote number 2005-347 on Nov 18, 2005