To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from the value of taxable estates bequests to certain exempt organizations.
Sponsored by
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
ID: S001214
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Family Business Legacy Act of 2025" (HR 2918) is a cleverly crafted bill that claims to benefit family businesses by excluding bequests to certain exempt organizations from taxable estates. Sounds noble, doesn't it? But don't be fooled; this is just a thinly veiled attempt to further enrich the already wealthy and powerful.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by adding a new section (2059) that allows for the exclusion of bequests to exempt organizations from taxable estates. This means that if you're a wealthy individual who wants to leave your fortune to, say, a "charitable" organization that just so happens to benefit your family business or personal interests, you can now do so without incurring estate taxes.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The primary beneficiaries of this bill are the ultra-rich and powerful individuals who have the means to establish exempt organizations that serve their own interests. These "philanthropists" will be able to pass on their wealth to future generations while avoiding taxes, further entrenching their grip on power and influence.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic example of trickle-down economics, where the wealthy get to keep more of their wealth, and the rest of us are left with the crumbs. By allowing bequests to exempt organizations to be excluded from taxable estates, this bill will:
1. Increase income inequality by perpetuating the concentration of wealth among the elite. 2. Reduce government revenue from estate taxes, which could lead to decreased funding for social programs that benefit the general population. 3. Create new opportunities for tax evasion and abuse, as wealthy individuals exploit loopholes in the system.
In short, this bill is a masterclass in legislative sleight-of-hand, designed to further enrich the already powerful at the expense of everyone else. It's a symptom of a deeper disease: the corrupting influence of money in politics and the willingness of lawmakers to serve their donors rather than the public interest.
Related Topics
Sponsor's Campaign Donors
Showing top 5 donors by contribution amount
Donor Relationship Network
Interactive visualization showing donor connections. Click and drag nodes to explore relationships.
Showing 8 nodes and 0 connections
Cosponsor Donors
Top donors to cosponsors of this bill
Unknown