June 13,2000

Foreign Sales Corporation Resolution Removed from Markup Agenda at Request of Administration

Committee to Mark Up Health and Tax Bills Wednesday

WASHINGTON -- At the request of the Administration, the Senate Finance Committee will not mark up a resolution regarding the foreign sales corporation dispute.

"Based on some very productive conversations we have had with the Administration, we have agreed to defer action on the Resolution, pending further negotiations with the European Union," Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-DE) stated. "We are heartened by the Administration's efforts to work with Congress to resolve this matter. We are continuing discussions with the Administration regarding the Resolution and their FSC replacement proposal. The Administration has proffered a concrete proposal designed to resolve the dispute. The onus is now on the European Union to engage in a constructive dialogue aimed at resolving this matter."

The Committee will meet Wednesday, June 14 to mark up two bills: S. 662, The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act and H.R. 3916, a bill to repeal of the Federal communications excise tax. The mark up will take place at 10:00 am in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Background:

The Breast and Cervical Treatment Act would create an optional new Medicaid eligibility category for low income women who receive a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer through a federal screening program.

The repeal of the Federal communications excise tax would immediately repeal the three percent telephone excise tax, originally imposed in 1898 as a luxury tax on phone service. The House approved a bill gradually repealing the Federal phone tax on May 25 by a vote of 420 to 2.