WASHINGTON- Taxpayers and families alike today praised the United States House of Representatives for passing the Marriage Penalty and Family Tax Relief Act of 2001 with broad bipartisan support.  The final vote was 282 yeas to 144 neas.

Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, issued the following statement in response to passage of the Marriage Penalty and Family Tax Relief Act of 2001.

"Today, Congress passed legislation that was not only taxpayer friendly, but family friendly. 

"Under the Marriage Penalty and Family Tax Relief Act of 2001, the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly will be increased so that it is equal to double the standard deduction for single filers.  It will also expand the lowest present tax bracket to twice that of single filers.  In addition, it will double the child tax credit from $500 to $1000 over five years. 

"When this legislation is coupled with the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act Congress passed earlier this month the result is roughly $560 in additional tax relief for an average family of four in 2001.

"That\’s $560 that families can use to save for their children\’s education, purchase necessities for their families, pay off personal debt, or simply save for a rainy day.  The point is, these families are put in control of more of their money and can spend it how they see fit. 

"On behalf of all taxpayers and families, we thank those Congressmen who voted yes on HR 6 for being taxpayer and family friendly."