Miller, Dems Urge Immediate Vote on Middle Class tax Cut

Dec 4, 2012 Issues: Labor and Jobs, Small Business

WASHINGTON, D.C.— With Congress facing just under two weeks to act before a looming tax increase hits middle class families, Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) joined his Democratic colleagues today in an effort to force a vote in the House on extending tax cuts for every single American family on their first $250,000 of income.

“The Senate passed a bill in June to protect the middle class tax cut and the House should do the same right away,” said Miller.  “House Democrats support the bill. President Obama has said repeatedly that he would sign it immediately. We are calling on our Republican colleagues in the House to allow Members of Congress to take an up or down vote on the middle class tax cut right away. 

“It’s become increasing clear that the only thing standing between Americans and tax relief are the House Republicans and their incomprehensible refusal to ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share,” Miller said.

Democrats filed today what is called a discharge petition, a procedural motion that frees up a bill that has been sitting in a congressional committee without action.  Republicans have refused to act on the middle class tax cut since the Senate passed it this summer.  The discharge petition would require a straightforward, up-or-down vote on a bill authored by Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), the Senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, to extend current middle class tax cuts for every single family. Republicans have blocked the bill, insisting that special tax cuts for America’s richest 2 percent be included.

“Democrats are standing up for America’s middle class today,” said Miller, “and the Republicans’ failure to act is inexcusable. They say they agree that we should keep taxes low for middle income families, but every time they’re given an opportunity to make good on their word they fail to live up to their promises. Their position is clear: Millionaires over the middle class. With less than two weeks for Congress to act before working families are hit with a $2,200 tax increase—in the middle of the holiday season, no less— their inaction is particularly reprehensible.”

“We’re running out of time,” Miller added.   “That’s why we’re leading today by pushing for a vote on middle class tax cuts for every single family in America. It’s time for House Republicans to stop obstructing and join us.”

The Levin bill is H.R. 15, details are here.

# # #