John Boehner, June 18, 2004

Did you know your taxes are in danger of increasing dramatically a year from now? In the U.S. House, we’re doing what we can to make sure they don’t. And President Bush has signaled he will sign legislation keeping taxes down as well, something his November election opponent has not indicated he would do.

In 2001, faced with a weakened economy, President Bush and Congress began the first of three straight years of tax cuts to create jobs and get the economic engine running again. Now, we’re seeing the dramatic effects of our work. Our economy -- and the manufacturing sector, in particular -- is growing at an historic rate. And more than 1.4 million new jobs have been created since last August -- more than 1.1 million since the beginning of this year alone. In other words, tax relief is the best medicine for an ailing economy; the most effective jump-start for a sluggish job market.

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of four separate measures to ensure Americans don’t pay higher taxes to Uncle Sam in 2005. I co-sponsored and voted for all four bills because I know just how important these tax cuts have been to our economy and our nation’s

families.Specifically, we’ve approved legislation to keep marriage penalty relief, Alternative Minimum Tax relief, the expansion of the 10 percent tax bracket, and the $1,000 child tax credit intact next year. Put another way, we’ve voted to prevent a huge tax increase on American families. Let’s review what could occur in 2005:

The Marriage Penalty. In 2001, we finally corrected a severely unfair provision in the tax code that penalized married couples by taxing them more than individuals. The House voted 323-95 to make sure marriage penalty relief is not reduced next year. Unless the relief is extended, 27 million married couples will face an average tax increase of $300 next year.

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). By a vote of 333-89, the House approved legislation to reduce the burden of the AMT on middle-class Americans. In 1993, President Clinton signed into law the largest tax increase in American history. That tax hike increased the AMT and failed to make adjustments for inflation so that more middle-income families are hit by the tax each year. During the past few years, Congress provided significant relief by increasing the AMT exemption amount for married couples from $45,000 to $58,000 and for singles from $33,750 to $40,250. The bill approved by the House would extend the AMT relief and adjust it for inflation. This measure will prevent an average tax increase of $1,520 on 11 million Americans next year.

10 Percent Tax Bracket. The House voted 344-76 to make permanent the benefits of the new 10 percent tax bracket. The 10 percent bracket applies to the first $7,000 in taxable income for single taxpayers and double that amount for married couples. If this bill doesn’t become law, more than 73 million taxpayers will pay more in taxes next year.

Child Tax Credit. President Bush’s tax relief packages also increased the value of the child credit to $1,000. This allows parents to keep more of their money than ever before. By a vote of 271-139, the House approved legislation to ensure the $1,000 child credit remains a permanent part of the tax code. This bill would prevent a tax hike of about $600 next year on 30 million taxpayers with 49 million children.

As families make their monthly and annual household budgets, it’s only fair to provide them with a reliable tax code. A tax cut one year, followed by a tax increase the next year is unfair and makes long-term financial planning more difficult. My colleagues in the House and I will continue to work with President Bush to provide Americans with lasting tax relief. I’m hopeful the U.S. Senate will as well, so we can prevent potentially devastating tax increases on working families.

Congressman John Boehner, a Republican, represents Ohio's Eighth Congressional District, which includes Miami, Butler, Preble, Darke, and Mercer Counties.