Eva M. Clayton: “I firmly believe that the marriage tax penalty ought to be alleviated. It is an unfair burden on many married couples…”

“I firmly believe that the marriage tax penalty ought to be alleviated. It is an unfair burden on many married couples and families. Also, given the level of suffering that has rocked my district, I would like nothing more than to have additional resources remain in the pockets of my constituents. During the rebuilding process--in the aftermath of destruction from Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd and Irene--every dollar counts. This is especially the case for low-income families. However, Mr. Speaker, I am disturbed because this bill has many flaws and it is ill-timed. As a body, we have yet to agree to a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2001. Thus, size of any budget surplus remains to be determined. As a body we have not yet done what we know Americans want us to do: to reduce the debt, protect Social Security and Medicare first. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6 is projected to have a net cost of $182 million over the next ten years. This bill is far too costly and designed to help those couples with no penalty and high incomes. The cost of H.R. 6 is too high, especially when many working families will not even benefit from these proposed tax cuts. The cost of this bill is too high, especially when, as a result of the structure of this legislation, many couples currently unaffected by the marriage penalty will receive tax reductions. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support the Democratic alternative.”