To: AllPolitics
From: Carin Dessauer/CNN
In: Washington
Posted: 3-20-97

Subject: Jack Kemp On GOP Tax-Cut Plans

Jack Kemp, in a letter Thursday to the Republican House leadership, criticized their delay in proposing tax cuts and urged them to take immediate action in the first step toward a complete overhaul of the tax code.

"We must regain our ability to lead and set the priorities of action that will produce the broad moral outcomes we seek," Kemp wrote. "At the top of the list of legislative steps we must undertake to realize our great vision is a complete overhaul of the tax code and elimination of the IRS as we know it. If Republicans cannot reach agreement on this fundamental priority, we should break up the Party and start over."

Kemp wrote, "We have allowed balancing the budget to assume the status of a 'moral imperative.'" Later in the letter Kemp said, "I wholeheartedly concur with the notion of splitting the tax cuts apart from a comprehensive budget package....forget about entering into prolonged negotiations with the President in search of a comprehensive, omnibus budget package."

The letter was sent via fax or hand-delivered Thursday morning to House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Majority Leader Richard Armey, Majority Whip Tom DeLay and Republican Conference Chairman John Boehner, according to a Kemp spokesman. Kemp has not received any response, his spokesman said.