XXXX Voted To Accelerate Elimination of the So Called “Marriage Penalty.” In May 2001, XXXX voted for an amendment that would accelerate the elimination of the so-called "marriage penalty" in the standard deduction to become fully effective in 2002. It would be offset by reducing the amount allowed to be deducted for higher education expenses. It also would delay the increase in allowable contributions to education savings accounts. [HR 1836, Vote 113, 5/17/01] XXXX Voted To Increase Tax Cuts To Eliminate The Marriage Penalty. In 2001, XXXX voted for an amendment that would increase the tax relief provided over 10 years by $69 billion, with the intention that the additional relief be used to increase the amount of relief available to eliminate the marriage penalty. The amendment was agreed to, 51-50, with Vice President Cheney voting “aye.” [H Con Res 83, Vote 79, 4/5/01] XXXX Voted to Reduce The Marriage Penalty By $292 Billion Over 10 Years And Expand The Earned Income Tax Credit. In 2000, XXXX voted to reduce the federal tax penalty imposed on married couples: by increasing their standard deduction; by expanding their 15-percent tax bracket; by expanding the Earned Income Credit; and by exempting family tax credits from the individual Alternative Minimum Tax. President Clinton promised to veto the plan, which was expected to cost $292 billion over 10 years. The vote was on the conference report to accompany the Marriage Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000. [Vote 226, 7/21/00; Associated Press; 7/22/00] XXXX Voted for Passage Of A Bill That Would Eliminate The Marriage Penalty Tax. In 2000, XXXX voted for passage of the Marriage Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2000 (H.R. 4810). The bill would increase the standard deduction for married couples to twice that of single taxpayers. It would also expand the income limits on both the 15 percent and 28 percent tax brackets for married couples to twice that of singles. The bill passed, 61-38. [Vote 215, 7/18/00; CQ, 7/18/00] XXXX Voted For A Republican Substitute Amendment To Strike All Amendments To A Marriage Tax Relief Bill. In 2000, XXXX voted for a substitute amendment that would remove the amendments that were made to the bill during floor consideration, so that the only issue that would be addressed by the bill would be relief from the tax penalty on marriage. The amendment was agreed to, 54-45. [Vote 214, 7/18/00] XXXX Voted Not to Eliminate Marriage Penalty Tax Cuts. In 2000, XXXX voted against eliminating “marriage penalty” tax cuts. [Vote 213, 7/18/00] XXXX Voted Against Increasing Standard Deductions For Individual And Joint Tax Filers. In 2000, XXXX voted against an amendment that would strike the expansions for married couples of the 15-percent tax bracket and the 28-percent bracket. It would then increase the standard deduction for individual tax filers to $4,750, for head of household tax filers to $7,500, and for joint tax filers to 9,500. The amendment was rejected, 40-56. [Vote 201, 7/17/00] XXXX Voted Against Allow Married Couples To File Either Joint Or Individual Returns. In 2000, XXXX voted against an amendment that would allow married couples either to file joint returns or individual returns. The amendment was rejected, 46-50. [Vote 200, 7/17/00] XXXX Voted for An Amendment To Eliminate The Sunset Of The Marriage Penalty Cut. In 2000, XXXX voted for an amendment to sunset the elimination of the marriage penalty relief in this bill after 5 years. The motion was rejected, 48-47. [Vote 199, 7/17/00] XXXX Voted To Cut The Marriage Tax Penalty And Expand The Earned Income Tax Credit. In 2000, XXXX voted to reduce the federal tax penalty imposed on married couples, expanding the 15-percent bracket, and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The vote was a motion to close debate on the Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Act of 2000. [Vote 87, 4/27/00] 278