NAN A. S. HAYWORTH: “Perhaps as the Speaker listens to the debate and as our colleagues in the Chamber listen to the debate, they might be…”

“Perhaps as the Speaker listens to the debate and as our colleagues in the Chamber listen to the debate, they might be mystified that what we have done is transform a debate on expanding opportunities for welfare to work and to lift the burden of the marriage tax penalty on those who need that help and thereby help bolster the institution of marriage to be caught up in the debate on other bills and other issues that we indeed will address in the days ahead. The legislation before us today helps us simplify the Tax Code. It increases the standard deduction for married couples, 300,000 married couples, would allow them to claim the standard deduction on their tax return rather than itemize. That, in itself, is a major simplification. It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that we should work to emphasize policies that are family friendly, policies that would support marriage when we offer this economic incentive. It allows us to accelerate the lifting of the burdensome marriage tax penalty. It accelerates relief for 21 million married couples, and that is vitally important to offer them access to the American dream.”