Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after it was announced Democrats are refusing to hold a vote to prevent job-killing tax hikes from hitting nearly every American next year. News reports indicate that neither the House nor the Senate will vote on taxes until a post-election Lame Duck session. This delay is especially outrageous considering the House took six weeks off during August and September, and by the end of next week, Speaker Pelosi will only have held votes four out of the last sixteen days.

“Democrats have had all year to schedule a vote to prevent these tax increases, but they are deliberately choosing not to act until after the election,” said Congressman Price. “Unemployment is sky-high, uncertainty abounds, and Democrats would rather leave town and play politics. Unlike Speaker Pelosi, most families and businesses actually try to make and stick to a budget. All this uncertainty about taxes makes them unable to plan for next year and far less likely to take on new expenses or employees.

“The majority is recklessly jeopardizing our fragile economy to further their own political prospects. Democrats are obviously scared of raising taxes before the election, but they will be more than happy to do it in a Lame Duck session.

“Congress is supposed to do what is best for the country today, and that means extending the current tax rates for every American. We also need to cut spending immediately to address the massive deficits that threaten to bankrupt the country. Republicans have been pushing these common sense ideas all year long. It is time for leadership in Washington that is not afraid to lead.”