The alternative minimum tax was designed to prevent the very wealthiest Americans from overusing certain tax benefits to avoid most of their tax burden.

He voted against the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 saying that they would force millions onto the AMT. As the banking reform law of 1991 was being drafted he cautioned that President George H. He has been considered a possible frontrunner for chairman of the committee.

S. He has a generally liberal voting record but is considered a moderate on such issues as abortion and trade. He has also dedicated much of his career to US–Irish relations and maintaining American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process for which he has won several acclamations.