[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 459]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 459]]

   MARRIAGE PENALTY: TAX CODE PUNISHES TRADITIONAL, TWO-PARENT FAMILY

  (Ms. PRYCE of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, at a time when the traditional two-
parent family becomes increasingly rare, the Internal Revenue Service 
continues to punish this important institution. Studies consistently 
confirm what common sense already has told us: more two-parent families 
mean healthier children with a much greater hope at success in school, 
on the job, and in life.
  The marriage penalty affects about 28 million working couples. They 
pay an average of $1,400 in additional tax burden simply by saying ``I 
do.''
  That is money that could be used to purchase a family computer, save 
for a child's college education, or make the car payments. Congress 
must address this immoral tax and strengthen the two-parent family, not 
punish it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge President Clinton to help Republicans enact 
significant relief from the marriage penalty this year. Republicans 
will not rest until the marriage penalty tax has been eliminated once 
and for all.

                          ____________________