Bob Menendez: “I rise this afternoon to speak about the debate we are having on the fundamental question of what type of tax relief…”

“I rise this afternoon to speak about the debate we are having on the fundamental question of what type of tax relief will be considered by the Senate. Not too often does a debate offer such clear differences in priorities between the two parties. We have before us a sensible package, put together by Chairman Baucus, which would ensure that any family in America who makes up to one-quarter of a million dollars in a year would get a permanent tax cut instead of one that expires a few years down the road, as the Bush tax cuts will do. If Republicans would work with us, we could give businesses certainty, middle-class families tax relief, and create jobs at this very moment. Solving these issues has, at least from my perspective, broad bipartisan support. Everybody says they want to give business certainty, they want to give middle-class families tax relief, and they want to create jobs. So if we have that agreement, both sides should be able to come to support this proposition. Both sides have agreed we should move forward extending tax cuts for middle-class families, do more to create jobs, and ensure that the alternative minimum tax doesn't ensnare more than 30 million Americans this year. Unfortunately, the question isn't, Who is going to cut your taxes? That is not the question. The question is, Whose taxes are going to be cut?”