[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MARRIAGE TAX ELIMINATION ACT

  (Mr. WELLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, let me ask a very basic 
and fundamental question: Is it right, is it fair that under our Tax 
Code that our Tax Code discriminates against married, working couples 
by forcing married, working couples to pay higher taxes just because 
they are married? Is it right that under our Tax Code that 21 million 
married, working couples pay on average $1,400 more in higher taxes 
just because they are married, $1,400 more than an identical working 
couple that lives together outside of marriage?
  That is wrong. $1,400 on the south side of the Chicago in the south 
suburbs of Illinois is 1 year's tuition in a local community college. 
It is 3 months of day care at a local child care center. $1,400 is real 
money.
  My colleagues, I believe that we should make fairness and simplicity 
a goal as we work to make changes in the Tax Code. Let us make 
elimination of the discrimination against married, working couples a 
priority.
  The Marriage Tax Elimination Act now has 230 cosponsors, a bipartisan 
majority of this House. Let us make it the centerpiece of this year's 
balanced budget.

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