Excerpted with the permission of the Olathe Daily News By the Editorial Board March 31/April 1, 2001

The issue: Repealing the marriage tax and increasing the child credit amount.

Our opinion: The U.S. Senate should take a cue from the House and send it to the president.

It is incredible the marriage tax has lasted this long. It is unfair and penalizes people financially when they marry.

Congressman Dennis Moore, 3rd District, D-Lenexa, has continually voted to repeal the marriage tax. He did so again Friday as the House passed the bill, 282-144. Not only does the bill eliminate the marriage tax penalty, it also doubles the per-child tax credit from $500 to $1,000.

The marriage tax aspect of the bill will increase the standard deduction for couples, which will be double that of single people filing their tax returns. Moore figures this tax relief will be felt by about 25 million American couples.

"This tax relief is much-needed and will go a long way toward paying for food, housing, and clothes for children," Moore has said.

The bill doubles the child tax credit to $1,000, and makes it refundable for individuals earning up to $75,000 and couples earning up to $100,000.

This kind of action will be beneficial for Americans no matter their tax liability. It is a measure that should have had more bi-partisan support. This kind of action in Congress will have a direct impact on American families.

This bill should pass the Senate. Not because it is sponsored by the Republicans or Democrats, but because it is the right thing to do.