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HR 4181 108th Congress House Taxation Congress Families Income tax Married people Sunset legislation Tax deductions Tax rates

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the marriage penalty relief provided under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

Introduced: April 21, 2004 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 3, 2004
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 495.
Apr 29, 2004
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Apr 28, 2004
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Apr 28, 2004
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 28, 2004
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 323 - 95 (Roll no. 138).
Apr 28, 2004
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 199 - 220 (Roll no. 137).
Apr 28, 2004
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Apr 28, 2004
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Stenholm motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require that no provision of the Act shall take effect unless the Secretary of the Treasury certifies that, upon enactment, the public debt limit is sufficient to allow for the increased borrowing required as a result of the Act over the next 10 years.
Apr 28, 2004
Mr. Stenholm moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means. (consideration: CR H2447-2448; text: CR H2447)
Apr 28, 2004
DEBATE - Pursuant to House Resolution 607, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Rangel amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Apr 28, 2004
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4181, as amended.
Apr 28, 2004
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4181 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Apr 28, 2004
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H2429-2449; text of measure as introduced in House: CR H2429)
Apr 28, 2004
Rule H. Res. 607 passed House.
Apr 27, 2004
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 607 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4181 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Apr 21, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 21, 2004
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 28, 2004 House · vote #138 On Passage Passed 323–95 See who voted →
Apr 28, 2004 House · vote #137 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 199–220 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 521 — An amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part B of House Report 108-470 to make permanent the ma… Failed Apr 28, 2004
HAMDT 520 — An amendment printed in part A of House Report 108-470 and considered as adopted pursuant to the provisions o… Agreed to Apr 28, 2004
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the following provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation Act of 2001: (1) the increased standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns or for surviving spouses (twice the deduction for single taxpayers); (2) the increase in the taxable income level for qualifying married taxpayers filing joint returns or surviving spouses for the 15-percent tax bracket; and (3) provisions concerning the earned income tax credit, including those increasing the credit's phaseout amounts in the case of joint returns.

What's happening now May 3, 2004

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 495.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 607 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4181) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend th…
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 10
All 10 Republican 10
R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Apr 27, 2004
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Apr 27, 2004
 R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Apr 27, 2004
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Apr 27, 2004
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Apr 27, 2004
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Apr 27, 2004
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Apr 21, 2004
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Apr 21, 2004
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Apr 21, 2004
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Apr 21, 2004
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4181: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the marriage penalty relief provided under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4181/
MLA
"H.R. 4181: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the marriage penalty relief provided under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4181/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4181, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4181/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4181: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the marriage penalty relief provided under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4181/)
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