Pete Stark: “I would agree with him that the Tax Code could be more fair and should be more fair; that the burden should be…”

“I would agree with him that the Tax Code could be more fair and should be more fair; that the burden should be redistributed; that the marriage penalty is something that should be adjusted, taking into account the new structure in families. And that may well get done, if the Republican leadership decides to let it get done and bring it to the floor. I have serious doubts about their ability to do that. But if they do, they would receive a lot of support from this side. Now, having said that, the bill under discussion, if we did reform the marriage tax penalty, would completely negate that. If we made the Tax Code more fair, this silly bill that is under discussion would completely eliminate that. My colleagues may say, yes, we must set a time. Look at the experience under the Republican leadership, Mr. Speaker. In 1994, the Republicans shut down the government, not once but twice, because the Republicans could not even agree on a budget. Now, imagine rewriting the entire Tax Code at a time when the government is shut down. No money. Do we have any faith that the Republican leadership that has brought government to a standstill twice in their tenure, that has waited 28 years for a balanced budget, could get the Tax Code revised?”