Connie Mack: “I rise to state my views on the elimination of the marriage penalty. Before 1969, the federal income tax treated married…”

“I rise to state my views on the elimination of the marriage penalty. Before 1969, the federal income tax treated married couples like partnerships, in which husbands and wives shared their incomes equally. This practice was called income-splitting. It was ended in 1969, creating what is commonly known as the marriage penalty--the extra taxes couples have to pay because they are married rather than single. According to the Congressional Budget Office, about 21 million couples now pay these penalties, which average about $1,400 per couple. This unfair treatment of married couples is fundamentally wrong. The tax code ought to treat married couples no worse than it treats single people. It ought to recognize that marriages are partnerships in which husbands and wives share their incomes equally for the good of their families. Until it does this, the tax code is punishing the most important institution our society has. This amendment is explicitly pro-family. It is a direct way of letting families keep more of their hard-earned money, which can be used for child-care, taking care of a sick parent, education expenses or whatever else the family wants to do with it. It sends a message to the American people that marriage should be a welcome occasion, not just another excuse for higher taxes. Mr. President, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment to eliminate the marriage penalty.”