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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree had harsh criticism for a bill passed by House Republicans today that would eliminate the federal estate tax, giving the wealthiest 0.2% of taxpayers a tax cut worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
 
"This is an outrageous giveaway to the super-rich while doing absolutely nothing for working families.  And on top of that it increases the deficit by almost $270 billion," Pingree said.  "Unless you're part of the richest 0.2%, this is a losing proposition."
 
Currently, a couple can leave nearly $11 million in assets tax-free when they die, but the bill passed by the House today would eliminate the estate tax altogether.  In 2013 in Maine, it was estimated that less than ten estates had to pay taxes.
 
"This is a tax cut for people who don't need a tax cut," Pingree said. "It's working families struggling to make ends meet that need a break, not couples who want to leave $100 million to their kids tax-free."
 
Pingree voted against the bill today, which passed mostly along party lines.