By Sarah Groff-Palermo

	Representative J.C. Watts (left), accompanied by House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (center) and House Majority Leader Dick Armey (right), calls for the passage of President Bush's tax cut.

Ever since George W. Bush began campaigning for President, he has been pushing his $1.6 trillion tax cut. However, with the Senate split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, the President may have to compromise.

Bush believes Americans deserve tax cuts for several reasons. He thinks it will help the economy and that it will keep the government from getting too large. Also, since the government believes it will have a surplus, or an amount greater than what is needed, of $5.6 trillion over the next 10 years, Bush thinks it's only fair to return some of the money to the people who paid it.

	Graphic by Jim McMahon

"We must give overcharged taxpayers some of their money back," the President said.

Democrats believe that the surplus probably won't be that large. Without a large surplus, the tax cut could put the government in debt.

"We believe the Bush budget puts this country in a hole," said Kent Conrad, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee.

The push for a tax cut has also led the President to try to cut spending in other departments. Bush explains these cuts by saying he is eliminating wasteful spending. "This budget funds our needs without the fat," he declared.

Once again, Democrats have a different view. Since the richest 1 percent of families would receive around 40 percent of the tax cut, Democrats accuse Bush of sacrificing important programs in order to give rich people a break.

"Aside from a huge tax cut for his rich friends, [Bush's suggested] budget doesn't allow nearly enough money for priorities like education, health care, clean water, or a safe environment," noted House Democratic Whip David Bonoir of Michigan.

Because of concerns like these, Bush's tax cut seems to be shrinking. As the Senate considered the budget in April, they voted to trim the tax cut down to $1.2 trillion. However, since the House approved the $1.6 dollar tax cut, the two chambers must compromise. So we still have to wait and see how big the tax cut will really be.