[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7893]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MARRIAGE PENALTY

  (Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, in 2001 and again in 2003, this body 
passed legislation that eliminated the marriage tax penalty, saving 
families an average of $1,400. Unfortunately, unless we act to 
permanently eliminate the marriage penalty, married couples will face 
tax increases starting next year. We should not discourage marriages by 
making couples sign on to a higher tax bill with their marriage 
certificate.
  There is no good reason to raise taxes on married couples. In the 
midst of a strong economic recovery, imposing higher taxes on married 
couples will only create financial hardship for millions of Americans 
and stifle a growing economy. If we examine the consequences of the 
marriage penalty on the American family, we will not have to think 
twice about permanently repealing this particular act.
  If we do not act, we will send in my district nearly 62,000 families 
a higher bill on January 1. Instead, let us tell them that we have 
finally put an end to the marriage tax penalty. I urge my colleagues to 
vote for this bill.

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