Political Quotes

“I am pleased that today we can approve a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut, important tax relief that is focused on middle-class families who have suffered greatly during the Great Recession, tax relief that will help continue the economic recovery that appears to be under way and that we all hope will strengthen in the months to come. The controversy over how to offset the cost of this payroll tax relief has twice now nearly derailed this important middle class tax relief. I am glad that we have for the second time avoided such an outcome. But my strong preference would be for our colleagues across the aisle and across the Capitol to accept the reality that added revenue must eventually be a part of our strategy here. Democrats have offered common-sense solutions that would have allowed us to prevent a tax increase on American families without adding to the deficit and without damaging our economic recovery. Rather than take steps such as ask for a small contribution from the wealthiest Americans--those with annual incomes above $1 million--our Republican colleagues preferred to add to the deficit. That is an unfortunate choice. Just as important as the extension of middle-class tax relief in this bill is the extension of emergency unemployment benefits. It is good for Michigan and good for the Nation that we have rejected the approach advocated by some, which would have slashed these important benefits.…”