June 6, 2006

Washington, DC—June 6… The American Family Business Institute (AFBI) today launched an intensive, six-figure television advertising campaign directed squarely at Senator Mark Pryor (D) who, unlike his colleague Senator Blanche Lincoln (D), is reportedly planning to keep the dreaded IRS Death Tax living in perpetuity.

A razor-thin vote margin is expected in a Senate vote Thursday to finally repeal the Death Tax after years of effort. The House of Representatives has already voted overwhelmingly—and with bi-partisan support—to abolish the tax, a proven job killer.

The 30-second ad praises Senator Lincoln for her willingness to repeal the Death Tax and takes issue with Senator Pryor for his failure to do the same.

The text of the ad reads:

“When it comes to protecting Arkansas, Blanche Lincoln is willing to stand up and fight. She knows the I.R.S Death Tax destroys family businesses and farms. She’s joined the bi-partisan coalition united to kill the Death Tax. Arkansas families are saying ‘Thank you, Senator Lincoln.’

But Senator Mark Pryor isn’t listening. He’s siding with I.R.S bureaucrats and Washington liberals like Ted Kennedy who want to keep the unfair Death Tax forever. Call Mark Pryor and tell him to join Senator Lincoln and vote to kill the Death Tax.”

“The Death Tax is a drag on the American economy and the time has come for it to go,” said AFBI executive director Dick Patten. “It costs Americans hundreds of thousands of jobs each year and it forces too many small family businesses to sell just to pay the tax. Senator Lincoln understands that abolishing this tax is the right thing to do for the Arkansas and for the American economy. We are hopeful that Senator Pryor will arrive at the same conclusion when the time comes to vote.”

The ad is available for viewing on the American Family Business Institute’s Website at: www.nodeathtax.org.