Political Quotes

“But the bottom line is the marriage tax penalty is a real issue for ordinary people back in Illinois, Georgia and Nebraska and throughout this country. In the last few days I have heard some suggestions, particularly from some of my friends in the left wing of the Democratic Party, who have said we do not need to do this now. We have got things here in Washington that we need to spend that money on; that maybe we should take that $1,150 out of Jose and Magdalena's pocket and spend it on something here in Washington. Maybe in Washington $1,150 for the Castillo family is no big deal, in Washington, where you think in terms of millions and billions of dollars. But for regular people, like Jose and Magdalena Castillo, $1,150, elimination of the marriage tax penalty for the Castillo family represents a 12 percent reduction in their taxes. So if we fail to make permanent the marriage tax penalty relief in what we nicknamed the Bush tax cut, they will see a 12 percent increase in their taxes so that Washington can better spend it, as some on the left side of the aisle view. My hope is that we will see an overwhelming bipartisan vote tomorrow to eliminate the marriage tax penalty permanently.”