Tax and Appropriations

MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP

Today we concluded another week under this “do-nothing” Republican Congress with no action on critical legislation.  Once again, House Republicans refused to take up comprehensive legislation that would create jobs or restore certainty to our economy.  They are now heading home for their ninth recess, despite calls from Democrats urging the House of Representatives to stay in session to address critical legislation.&

We here in the Democratic Whip Press shop thought we’d pass along a few questions you may want to ask Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor at today’s press conference:

“When crisis struck our financial system in 2008, it wasn’t because there was too much regulation.  For years, the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress took the referees off the field when it came to Wall Street.

As our economy continues its recovery, House Republicans have rolled out a summer agenda that ignores job creation and does not address a number of critical items. Two items expire at the end of this month: a surface transportation reauthorization bill – which the Senate passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote – and legislation to stop student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1. House Republicans are also holding an extension of the middle class tax cuts hostage to tax cuts for the wealthy, despite the need for families to have certainty that their taxes will not increase next year.

CBO’s Long-Term Budget Outlook makes it abundantly clear that our long-term structural problems should be just as concerning as the looming fiscal cliff, including the budget sequester, facing us at the end of this year.  CBO’s report is a warning that we must get our fiscal house in order by achieving big and balanced deficit reduction that includes both spending and revenues. Cutting domestic spending alone won’t work, and it will require both parties working together.  I still believe this is a goal we must pursue in Congress this year – and one that is achievable.   Doing so would provide certainty to businesses that have been holding back investment and could constitute the single greatest stimulus to our economy and job creation. 

So far, House Republicans’ summer agenda is not drawing rave reviews.

Don’t look now, but the GOP appears to be taking baby steps away from their rigid refusal to include revenues as part of a balanced deficit reduction plan. Facing a “fiscal cliff” later this year, all solutions need to be on the table. But so far the GOP has exclusively focused on spending cuts and walked away from any sort of comprehensive deal.

Last week, House Republicans unveiled a summer legislative agenda that brings forward partisan bills that do not create jobs and will result in higher taxes for the middle class because of their refusal to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share.