Political Quotes

“marriage penalty relief is an important issue, and I am glad that the House is considering the legislation today. Most of us have supported marriage penalty relief for many, many years. That being said, however, I do not think that the current version of H.R. 6 is helpful. The President's budget addresses the problem in a more fiscally responsible fashion, and I commend him for making his proposal. It would increase the standard deduction for two-earner households to double the amount of the standard deduction for single filers. Since most married couples claim the standard deduction and pay taxes at the 15 percent marginal rate, this provision would eliminate the marriage penalty for most families across the country. Like the President's proposal, the Democratic alternative that will be offered today would target marriage penalty relief to the families that need it most in the country. Unlike the version of H.R. 6 that was reported out of the Committee on Ways and Means, the Democratic alternative ensures that the alternative minimum tax will not prevent married couples from receiving marriage penalty relief. Consequently, we should support the Democratic alternative that will be offered later today.”