On the recordNovember 10, 2011
the legislation before the Senate is the latest effort by Senate Democrats to pass portions of the President's American Jobs Act that will boost the economy and put Americans back to work. The underlying legislation will repeal a 3 percent withholding on contractors that was designed to encourage contractors to pay their taxes; and the amendment offered by my colleague from Montana, Senator Tester, will help veterans by providing hiring incentives to employers who hire our heroes and expanding education and training opportunities for older veterans. The 3 percent withholding on contractors was enacted in 2005 and, because of implementation problems, has never been put into effect. I have heard from businesses in Michigan, universities in Michigan, mayors and countless others that this withholding provision is unworkable. Because Congress and the President recognize this problem, Congress has continued to delay its effective date. The repeal of the 3 percent withholding requirement should be paid for by finding other ways to promote tax fairness and improving tax compliance. I have offered several of these proposals before. Unfortunately, rather than paying for this bill with measures to promote tax compliance and fairness, it is paid for by revising the way the modified adjusted gross income is calculated in determining eligibility for health care programs.…





