[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 45 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MARRIAGE PENALTY AND FAMILY TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday March 29, 2001

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for H.R. 6, the 
Marriage Penalty and Family Tax Relief Act of 2001. This bill will not 
only do away with the unfair tax burden on married couples, but it will 
also double the per-child tax credit from $500 to $1,000. For the 25 
million married couples saddled with the marriage penalty, for low and 
middle income parents, and for their children, this relief will not 
come a minute too soon.
  No one should be penalized for being married. No family should be 
penalized for having a stay at home parent. Yet without this critical 
legislation we would miss an opportunity to do right by the people who 
sacrifice everyday to not only make a home for their family but also to 
pay their share of taxes. Following up on our passage of H.R. 3, this 
bill is another big step in the right direction.
  Relief from the marriage penalty, a greater child tax credit and 
lowered marginal tax rates, will mean real help for real families. When 
fully phased in, a married couple with 2 children earning $35,000 
filing jointly will save over $1,800 dollars a year. That's real money 
to invest in their children's education, pay the bills, and save for 
the future.
  This bill is pro-marriage, pro-child, and pro-family. Not just young 
married couples and families, but older ones, too. The numbers don't 
lie. H.R. 6 would give 6 million seniors marriage tax penalty relief in 
2002 and increase to 9 million seniors in 2010.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for the Marriage Penalty and Family Tax 
Relief Act of 2001. Vote to support our nation's families.

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