Marriage Tax Penalty Passes the Senate
On July 18, the Senate passed the long awaited Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Bill, S. 2839 by a vote of 60-39. This legislation will fix a portion of the federal tax code that promotes immorality. This section taxes two-income married couples higher than two single couples that are living together. The House passed similar legislation, H.R. 4810, on July 12. The Senate version will eliminate the Marriage Tax Penalty by giving married couples incremental tax cuts over the next five years. The bill will increase the standard deduction for married couples from $7,350 to $8,800 and raise the amount of income subject to the 15 percent tax bracket from $43,850 to $52,500 and the 28 percent bracket from $105,950 to $127,100. On Thursday, July 20, the House passed the conference version of the “Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000” and the Senate is expected to do the same soon. President Clinton has threatened to veto this bill but many Republicans question whether he will do so since a veto may be damaging to other members of his party on Election Day.
Home School Friendly Senator Dies
Georgia Senator Paul Coverdell died of a brain aneurysm on July 18 at the age of 61. The Senator will be sorely missed. He was a key conservative leader on many legislative issues important to home schoolers including the A+ Education Savings Accounts that allows parents to set aside $2000 tax free for their children to cover education expenses. Home School Legal Defense Association presented Senator Coverdell with its 1999 Home School Freedom Award for his work to establish the 5-year Pilate program for home school recruits in the military.HSLDA’s condolences go to Senator Coverdell’s wife, Nancy.
This concludes HSLDA’s Legislative Hotline. We pray that this information will bless your family in your fight for freedom. For more information on HSLDA and home schooling, visit our website at www.HSLDA.org.
Visiting the Capitol?
