Orrin Hatch: “The strength and the future of this Nation is directly dependent on the success and stability of the American family. I…”

“The strength and the future of this Nation is directly dependent on the success and stability of the American family. I would like to bring to the Senate's attention today a provision of Federal law that is undermining our families--the tax treatment of married couples. Mr. President, I believe that a great deal of this Nation's problems with crime, illiteracy, school dropout, drug abuse, illegitimacy, and other social ills are caused by the breakdown of so many of the families in our society. And, among the chief reasons for family breakdown are the divorce of parents or the failure of parents to get married. Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that our tax laws encourage divorce and discourage marriage.”