A Republican congressman in the midst of a tough re-election fight is in a hairy situation over a proposal to give tax breaks to Americans with mustaches.
The American Mustache Institute claimed Tuesday that Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., had lent his support to what it calls the 'Stache Act. The group wants Congress to approve a tax deduction of up to $250 a year for facial hair grooming.
But Bartlett's office says that's not true. His chief of staff says in a statement that Bartlett is ``pro-stache'' but doesn't think "Americans should pay for people's personal grooming decisions.''
At least one of Bartlett's Republican primary opponents is criticizing him over the issue. The longtime incumbent faces several challengers in the Sixth District, which was redrawn to include more Democratic voters.
Despite it's professed dedication to hairy upper lips, the American Mustache Institute appears to have a very thin grounding in actual political advocacy.
On its web page, the group says it's planning the "Million Mustache March" on April 1st (also known as April Fool's Day.)
According to the site, mustached Americans earn 4.3% more money than "clean-shaven Americans" annually. The site says adding tax incentives for men to grow mustaches would boost the economy.
