WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today voted to permanently extend the ten percent income tax bracket initially passed by Congress in 2001.  Due to Senate budgetary rules, the provision was set to expire ten years from the date it took effect.

 

The measure, H.R. 4275, passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 344-76.

 

“A broader ten percent bracket helps out every working American who pays taxes each spring,” Emerson said.  “While I think our economy is strong and moving forward, I still want to ensure that Americans have more of their earnings for their own family budgets.  At the same time, it is important to send the message that Congress is serious about tax reform and tax relief by making this a permanent change in our tax code.”

 

Missourians filed 552,090 tax returns in the ten percent bracket in 2002 according to a 2003 study by the Heritage Foundation, a Washington policy group.

 

“Permanent bracket relief provides a meaningful increase in the paychecks of rural Americans, and it pays off for our economy as a whole.  In real terms, the tax relief in this bracket goes for educational expenses, prescription drugs, home improvements and extra savings for millions of low and middle income Americans.  It also stimulates our national economy at the local level,” Emerson said.

 

The proposal now moves to the Senate for consideration.  President Bush has called upon Congress to pass such a bill.