WALLY HERGER: “The President's marriage penalty plan would give relief of $45 billion over 10 years. Our legislation would give relief…”

“The President's marriage penalty plan would give relief of $45 billion over 10 years. Our legislation would give relief of $182 billion, about four times more, in tax relief over those same 10 years. The President's plan doubles the standard deduction over 10 years. Our plan doubles the standard deduction by next year, within one year as opposed to 10. The President's plan does not expand the 15 percent income bracket. The Republican plan starts expanding 15 percent income bracket in 2003. The President's plan provides up to $210 in tax relief per couple per year. Our plan provides up to not $210 but $1,400 in tax relief per couple. The President's plan would help only nonitemizers. So those people who owned a home, who are itemizing, would not be affected by the tax relief. Our plan would help families who itemize deductions, homeowners and nonitemizers. The President's plan would help 9 million American couples. The Republican plan would help up to 28 million American couples. So, again, I think the comparison is there. I do want to commend the President for at least becoming involved, for recognizing that there is a problem. I just feel that the President's plan does not go nearly far enough.”