[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E654-E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY TAX CREDIT ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 1997

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce legislation to 
provide much-needed tax relief to America's middle class. Today--April 
15--millions of Americans are putting their tax forms in the mail. Last 
year, the average American family paid 38 percent of their income 
taxes--Federal, State, and local taxes--to feed an ever hungry 
Government that demands more and more taxpayer dollars. Contrast this 
April 15 with April 15, 1947. Fifty years ago, Americans paid just 22 
percent of their income in taxes.
  My bill, the Family Tax Relief Act of 1997, would provide a $500 per 
child family tax credit to every middle-class family with children 
under age 18. The Family Tax Relief Act of 1997 will cut the income tax 
burden of a family of four earning $30,000 per year 51 percent, and the 
tax burden of a family earning $40,000 by 30 percent. Families earning 
$75,000 would see their tax burden reduced by 12 percent. The credit is 
for truly middle-class families--phaseouts begin to cut or eliminate 
the credit for families making over $75,000. Fifty million children, 
from 28 million Americans families, are eligible for the credit. The 
credit eliminates the total tax burden for families making less than 
$23,000.
  In the last Congress this family tax credit was a part of the 
Balanced Budget Act that was vetoed by the President. The American 
people sent us to Washington with a clear mandate--reduce the crushing 
weight of taxes on everyday middle-class American households and cut 
spending.
  But one key thing has been left out--middle-class tax relief. That is 
why I am introducing this legislation today. I believe that it is 
vitally important for Members of Congress to send a clear signal to all 
that middle-class tax relief will be an absolutely required component

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of budget negotiations and any budget deal reached with the President.
  It is time for the Congress to deliver on our promise and give tax 
relief to hard-working, overtaxed middle-class American families.

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