Steve Buyer: “I rise in support of H.R. 6 and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. More than 20 million American married couples…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 6 and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. More than 20 million American married couples pay higher taxes than they would if they were single. The ``tax'' on marriage in our system averages nearly $1400 per couple. This $1400 could be used by couples to save for college or retirement, make several months of car payments, pay for braces or piano lessons. Unfortunately, some in this chamber believe that Washington knows better how to use $1400 than a husband and a wife. Numerous statistical evidence is available that children are far less at risk for academic and behavioral problems when raised in a two-parent family. But built into our Tax Code is a disincentive for families to stick together. The marriage penalty in the Tax Code is more likely and larger in those households where both marriage partners have incomes that are nearly equal. In 1995, 72 percent of working age couples had both individuals in paid employment. 12 percent of couples with incomes below $20,000 had penalties in 1996; 44 percent of couples with incomes between $20,000 and $50,000 had marriage penalties; and 54 percent of those with incomes over $50,000 had penalties. It is time that the Federal Tax Code support marriage, and not penalize it. I urge the adoption of the Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Act.”