Governor Bush:
Providing Tax Relief to Married Couples

It is unfair that married couples pay higher taxes just because they are married. Fixing the marriage tax penalty has the overwhelming support of the American people and enjoys bipartisan support in Congress. There is no excuse why on three separate occasions, (1995, 1999, and as recently as August 5, of this year) the Clinton-Gore administration vetoed bipartisan legislation to repeal the "marriage tax penalty."

In response to the last veto, Governor Bush stated on August 5: "Al Gore had a chance to stand up for the working people of America and he let them down. He was given the chance to say to President Clinton 'don't veto that bill.' But he was silent. Had I been president of the United States, I would have signed that bill. Men and women who are married should not pay more taxes than if they were single people." In fact, Governor Bush believes all income taxpayers deserve a tax cut.

Not a chosen few. Not some. But all. His plan is fair and returns one-quarter of the surplus to the people who earned it. His plan sets aside money to save Social Security and pay down the national debt. He believes no family should pay more than one-third of its income in taxes. Today Governor Bush will be in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA meeting with married couples as well as other citizens to talk about tax relief on a one-on-one basis.

MAIN MESSAGES The Bush tax plan will:

Cut the marriage penalty. Provide a new deduction for couples that pay higher taxes merely because they are married. Provide real money for real needs. The Bush tax cut helps middle class families pay for today's bills and save for tomorrow's needs. Provide the biggest percentage cuts to low and middle-income taxpayers. Middle class families will receive significant tax relief. The Daily Facts On three separate occasions, (1995, 1999, and as recently as August 5, of this year) the Clinton-Gore administration vetoed bipartisan legislation to repeal the "marriage tax penalty." The Clinton-Gore vetoes of the marriage tax penalty relief act have affected more than 1.1 million married couples in Pennsylvania. If you would like to know how many people in your district or state would have obtained marriage penalty relief if Clinton-Gore had signed the bill into law, visit: http://www.heritage.org/marriagepenalty/

FOR THE RECORD "Had I been president of the United States, I would have signed that bill. Men and women who are married should not pay more taxes than if they were single people." - Governor George W. Bush

                                                                                           
                                              Politics & Voting Return               Top Return