On the recordDecember 22, 2010
I too support the goal of ensuring that the brave men and women that acted as first responders at the World Trade Center attack are fairly treated and compensated. But I rise today to oppose the troubling provisions the majority has attached to pay for this bill. This measure would impose a 2 percent tax on goods and services that are produced or provided in certain foreign countries from firms that are based in foreign countries that are not parties to certain treaties or international agreements. It sounds complicated. But some analysis suggests that a significant majority of this tax, at least two-thirds, if not more, would be raised by taxing contracts that support American troops stationed in the Afghan and Iraqi theaters. Even more incredible, this tax could apply to American companies that are providing goods and services to our troops through local subsidiaries. Levying additional taxes on companies that support American troops is both illogical and dangerous. In addition, there is no reason that other countries wouldn't copy this tax and impose it on our U.S. companies that are competing to sell goods and services overseas. This would hurt our U.S. economic recovery efforts and efforts to boost U.S. sales abroad and create American jobs here at home.
