Doyle Signs Discharge Petition for Middle Class Tax Cut Bill

Dec 5, 2012 Issues: Budget, Economic Crisis, Education, Health Care, Job Creation and Economic Growth, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) joined 150 other House Democrats today in signing a discharge petition to bring a bill extending the expiring Bush middle-class tax cuts to the House Floor for a vote. Afterwards, he released the following statement:

“The Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire at the end of this month.  Failure to act would cost the typical middle class family an average of $2,200 next year. The vast majority of Americans support extending the expiring tax cuts for individuals with incomes below $200,000 and households with incomes below $250,000.  Most Americans also support letting the tax cuts expire for individuals with incomes of more than $200,000 and households with incomes of more than $250,000.

“So do Democrats in Congress.  Democrats in the Senate passed H.R. 15, a bill that would extend these expiring income tax cuts for the middle class, back in July. This legislation would extend these tax cuts for 98 percent of all Americans and 97 percent of small businesses.  Unfortunately, the Republican House Leadership has refused to allow a vote on this bill in the House. 

“Time is running out.  If Congress doesn’t act soon, most Americans will see their taxes increase dramatically come January 1st.

“Today, I joined 150 other House Democrats in signing a discharge petition that under House rules would force House Speaker John Boehner to bring H.R. 15 to the Floor for a vote.  House rules include a process for allowing a majority of Representatives to compel the House leadership to bring a bill to the House Floor for a vote.  Once 218 Members of Congress sign a discharge petition for a particular bill, it can be brought to the Floor for a vote – usually within about two weeks (specifically on the second and fourth Mondays of the month).  If the House is to vote on H.R. 15 before the 112th Congress adjourns, we will have to collect the additional signatures quickly.

“I will continue to do everything I can to protect middle-class Americans and our nation’s small businesses.” 

 

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