Lynn's Weekly Update - Veterans Day, Tax Cut Extensions, Lame Duck Session

Press Release

Honoring Nation's Heroes this Veterans Day
The members of our Armed Forces defend our freedoms both here at home and abroad. It is important for all Americans to remember the sacrifice each of these brave men and women have made, either in current or past conflicts. That is why I am co-sponsor of H.Res 1622 which recognizes and honors our nation's veterans on Veterans Day. This week I was honored to spend time with some of our military heroes and their families at the Veteran's Day parade in Leavenworth. In the name of freedom, our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen put their lives on the line regardless of the dangers and fully aware of the risks. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who have sacrificed in order to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

Looking ahead to the Negotiations on Extension of Current Tax Rates
There has been a lot of talk in Washington over the last several weeks about whether to extend the "Bush Tax Cuts," and it is certain to be the top priority in the coming lame duck session. However, some in Washington need to be more accurate in their statements. We are not talking about cutting taxes, they are talking about raising taxes. If the current tax rates are not extended by January 1st the result will be a nearly $4 trillion tax hike that will hit every American family and business.

However, allowing the current tax rates to expire would not simply increase income taxes on each and every American. It would also burden families by bringing back the marriage penalty and reducing the child tax credit. It would hurt seniors by raising the tax on dividends, and it would prevent investments that would create jobs by increasing the capital gains tax. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the death tax would immediately be raised to fifty five percent.

It is my hope that Congress can work together to permanently extend all the current tax rates for all Americans. Every side agrees that raising taxes will hurt the economy. That is true today and will be true down the road. Therefore, I will continue to work tirelessly to extend the current tax rates in order to provide our struggling economy with the certainty that the Government will not be taking more of your hard earned dollars.

Next Week's Lame Duck Session
The American people have made it very clear that they do not approve of the direction the Democrat Majority has taken the country over the last two years. With the 2010 elections behind us we need to be vigilant and look ahead toward Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat leadership's last desperate attempt at a power grab. Next Week Congress is scheduled to return to Washington for the "lame duck session." Though I am opposed to having a lame duck session at all, and introduced legislation to stop it from happening, the House will reconvene to consider major legislation, including appropriations legislation. You have my assurance that throughout the lame duck session I will continue to stand up to any attempt to expand the size and scope of the federal government.

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