Washington, D.C.—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued the following statement after Senate Democrats passed legislation to extend tax cuts for middle class families on income up to $250,000. The bill passed by a vote of 51 to 48. Democrats also defeated a Republican bill that would have raised taxes on middle class families, while giving millionaires a $160,000 tax break.

“The Senate passed a plan that will cut taxes for 98 percent of Americans and protect middle-class families in Nevada and across the country from the fiscal cliff. The Senate plan is the only solution that stands a chance of being signed into law to provide middle-class families security. Our colleagues in the House should take up our plan and pass it immediately. There is absolutely nothing stopping House Republicans from passing the Senate’s plan, if they possessed the courage to do the right thing for middle class families.

“To date, Republicans have insisted on holding middle-class families hostage to additional tax giveaways for millionaires and billionaires. Democrats believe we should focus on the middle class, but we have months to debate the right approach to tax policy. In the meantime, the responsible approach is for Republicans to stand up to the Tea Party, meet Democrats on common ground and pass these tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans.”