July 11, 2000

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, through its Institute for Public Affairs called upon members of the House and Senate to approve a measure designed to abolish the tax code’s unfair treatment of married couples the chambers are to take up this week. 

Currently, public policy, as embodied by the federal tax code, treats married couples unfavorably as compared to unmarried couples. This is reflected in the simple fact that many married couples filing jointly pays higher taxes than if the same couple with the same earnings paid their taxes separately. This “penalty” hits hard-working, lower to middle income families, with two working parents when the higher-earner of which makes between $20,000 and $75,000 per year.

Nathan Diament, director of the Union’s public policy arm, issued the following statement in connection with the upcoming House and Senate votes:
The family, with marriage as its centerpiece is not just another social institution – it is the best means we have yet discovered for nurturing future generations. It is where we learn the basics of being humans.

Judaism has long recognized this principle. America’s tradition has similarly recognized the centrality of marriage and should support it with marriage-friendly public policy. American society expresses its public values through its laws, including its tax laws that often encourage or discourage behavior. It is hard to believe that in 2000 we must stand up and say that our laws should be structured in a manner that supports the critical institution of marriage. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations urges Congress to pass a measure that ensures no married couple is penalized by our tax code.