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H.R.6499 / 110th Congress

Sensible Estate Tax Act of 2008

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 15, 2008

Sensible Estate Tax Act of 2008 - Repeals provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation Act of 2001 relating to the estate and gift tax.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an estate tax exclusion of $2 million adjusted for inflation in calendar years after 2008; (2) revise the estate tax rates for larger estates; (3) restore the estate tax credit for state estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes; (4) restore the unified credit against the gift tax; and (5) allow a surviving spouse an increase in the unified estate tax credit by the amount of any unused credit of a deceased spouse.

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Who introduced it

Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7] · D–WA

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.6499 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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