Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Charles Grassley (R-IA) commented today that repeal of the estate tax given current conditions -- and the number of people in obvious need -- would be "unseemly." He said in a conference call with Iowa reporters, "It's a little unseemly to be talking about doing away with or enhancing the estate tax at a time when people are suffering." He went on to say he doubts repeal of the tax will be considered in 2005. These comments seem to be contradictory to what was posted here earlier today regarding Sen. Jon Kyl's desire to move forward with an estate tax vote. Only time will tell what the Senate will actually have to time to pursue this fall. While repeal of the estate tax would be harmful at any time, it is at least reassuring to have a Congressional GOP leader such as Grassley recognize (and verbalize) that now is simply not the time to be cutting taxes for the wealthy.