On the recordApril 16, 2012
everyone knows this is not going to pass. This is a political exercise. I urge my colleagues to vote no. The fact is on average the people in the upper two brackets pay more than twice as much in their income tax rates as the people we call the middle- class taxpayers. So the basis, the factual basis upon which this is allegedly founded is incorrect. The truth is this legislation will do nothing with regard to job creation, with regard to gas prices, with regard to economic recovery, or any of the other matters the American people care about. As a result, to focus attention on something like this is to try to draw attention away from the issues about which the American people are most concerned. I urge my colleagues to vote no. Cloture Motion The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The bill clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 339, S. 2230, a bill to reduce the deficit by imposing a minimum effective tax rate for high- income taxpayers. Harry Reid, Sheldon Whitehouse, John D. Rockefeller IV, Barbara Boxer, Patrick J. Leahy, Jeff Bingaman, Richard J. Durbin, Daniel K.…





