Washington, D.C. - Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) today offered an amendment to H.R. 3996, the “Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007,” which would have increased the amount of money teachers can deduct from their federal income taxes for out-of-pocket classroom expenses to $400 from the current $250.  The Committee voted along party lines to defeat the amendment, with all Republicans voting yes and all Democratic members rejecting the increase.    

“I wish teachers didn’t have to spend any money out of their pockets, but I can assure you they spend far more than $250 a year to supply their classrooms”, said Brady. “It’s time the deduction kept pace with inflation. Our teachers deserve it.”

The final bill approved by the Ways and Means Committee will extend the current deduction for out-of-pocket expenses of classroom teachers for an additional year, but limits the amount to $250.   

Congressman Brady is a co-sponsor of legislation to increase the classroom deduction to $400.

Congressman Brady holds the leadership post of Deputy Whip and serves on the Ways & Means Committee, which has  jurisdiction over 2/3 of the federal budget including taxes, Social Security, Medicare, international trade and welfare.  He serves on the Social Security and Trade subcommittees.