ALG on Tax Rates Deal: "A Step in the Right Direction but More Must be Done"

December 7^th, 2010, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement on the reported deal struck between the White House and congressional leaders on the lame duck session of Congress' consideration of preventing imminent tax increases on all Americans:

"Two-year extensions of the income tax, capital gains tax, and dividend tax rates, and a reduction of the estate tax to 35 percent may not be ideal, but they are better than the alternative, which are tax increases on all Americans.  After all, the unemployment rate has been at or above 9.4 percent for 19 consecutive months, the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. We need to create jobs, not increase the tax burden for American businesses at a time when the U.S. is already globally uncompetitive.

"A deal to block the imminent tax increases is a step in the right direction, but more must be done. When Congress returns next year, it should get to work on permanently restructuring and flattening the tax code to remove tax subsidies, corporate welfare, exemptions, and lower overall rates. The corporate tax should be eliminated all together to help the U.S. become more competitive in the global economy.  This would encourage more businesses to set up shop here in America and create jobs. 

"However, the perpetual extension of unemployment benefits past two years should be rejected.  It's not paid for and will only add to the national debt.  It's no longer a temporary program; it's become a welfare program.  If these benefits cannot be paid for with offsetting cuts elsewhere in the budget, they should be rejected.  We're going broke, and the budget will not be balanced ever without spending cuts."



OFA- Statement of OFA-NH Director Tim Arsenault Urging Congress to Pass Unemployment Insurance Benefits Extension

CONCROD – With federal funding for extended unemployment insurance benefits running out earlier this week, 800,000 Americans have already lost their benefits and nearly two million Americans are expected to lose them by the end of December. In response, Organizing for America-New Hampshire State Director Tim Arsenault released the following statement urging Members of Congress to pass an extension:

“Although the economy is on the road to recovery, the job market remains extremely tough for millions of Americans. For many of these individuals – who lost their job through no fault of their own –  unemployment insurance provides a lifeline during tough times. During the Bush Administration, Members of Congress put partisanship aside to extend these vital benefits for those Americans most in need. Unfortunately, since President Obama took office Republicans in the House and Senate have opposed, obstructed or delayed the extension of unemployment benefits and are doing so again. 

“OFA volunteers across New Hampshire are urgently calling on Members of Congress to stop playing political games and immediately extend this important lifeline to millions of Americans who depend on them.” 

Shea-Porter Votes to Extend Unemployment Benefits

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter voted to extend unemployment benefits to Americans who are still struggling to find work.  The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, which was held up for more than 7 weeks in the Senate, passed the House 272 to 152.  This emergency bill would extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits programs through November 30, 2010.  This would retroactively restore benefits to people who may have started losing their benefits. 

“Many American families were hit hard by our nation’s financial crisis, and while our policies are helping our economy recover, we still have a 5.9 percent unemployment rate in NH,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. “This bill will keep 20,000 people in New Hampshire from losing their unemployment benefits.”

DNC - Republican Sen. Gregg Votes to Block Legislation That Boosts Economy

Extends Unemployment Benefits for New Hampshire Families

 

In Tough Economic Times, Sen. Gregg Continues Obstructionist Tactics at the Expense of New Hampshire workers

 

Washington – In the latest example of Republicans obstructing efforts to help middle class families struggling in the economic crisis, U.S. Sen. Gregg voted Wednesday against legislation that would extend jobless benefits such as unemployment insurance and COBRA subsidies for families in New Hampshire who are struggling to find work.  Senator Gregg’s vote could have cost many families in New Hampshire unemployment insurance and health care, further hurting already-struggling folks in these difficult times.

 

Please find below a statement from DNC Northeast Regional Press Secretary Michael Czin:

 

“It’s bad enough that Republicans spent eight years backing the policies that led to the current economic crisis, but now Republicans in the Senate like Senator Gregg are slamming the door on New Hampshire residents by voting against extending unemployment benefits and health care assistance for jobless workers. 

 

“This move is just the latest in a long line of GOP obstructionist tactics in the Senate, where Republican Senators have stood in the way of efforts to improve the economy for their own political gain.  New Hampshire families want Senator Gregg to work to help ease the economic crisis, not to play partisan obstructionist games to stand in the way of improving our economic situation.”



NHDP - Ayotte Silent on Senate Bill to Preserve Unemployment Benefits for New Hampshire

Kelly Ayotte is Quick to Defend Reckless Political Hold-Up of Benefits Last Week, But Stays Silent Whether She Supports Bill to Preserve Benefits for Thousands of Unemployed Across NH

CONCORD- After rushing to defend the political stunt work of Sen. Jim Bunning from Kentucky, who held up extending unemployment benefits for nearly a week, Republican senate candidate Kelly Ayotte has stayed silent on whether she supports the bill coming before the senate today which would preserve these benefits for the thousands of middle-class families across New Hampshire who rely on them to make ends meet.
 
Over the weekend, Ayotte defended Sen. Bunning, who kept the senate in gridlock for nearly a week, threatening unemployment benefits for families across the Granite State. Now, as the full senate is set to vote on preserving these benefits, will Ayotte fall in line with the Washington GOP once again and oppose help for New Hampshire's middle class?  
 
"Kelly Ayotte finally finds her voice, and the only thing she uses it for is to defend Washington gridlock and the GOP's disastrous political stunt work," said Emily Browne, Press Secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "She has stayed silent on whether she would actually support this bill, which will deliver crucial unemployment benefits to the men and women of this state who desperately need them. Kelly Ayotte is proving once again that the only time she'll stand up is when Republicans in Washington prop her up, rather than when the middle-class families of New Hampshire truly need her."