Bonamici Fights for Middle Class Tax Relief

Press Release

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) today called for H.R. 15, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act, to be brought to the House floor for an up or down vote. The legislation will extend tax cuts on joint income up to $250,000. Without an extension, these tax cuts will expire on December 31, 2012. In Oregon, approximately 1.4 million families will see their taxes increase by an average of $1,600 if Congress does not take action.

"Reducing the deficit on the backs of middle-class families is the wrong approach," said Bonamici. "Those families shouldn't have to pay the price of partisan gridlock in Washington. The tax cuts expire in 28 days, and millions of Americans are watching and waiting for Congress to do the right thing. We need an up or down vote on legislation now so families can have certainty during the holiday season."

Bonamici requested a vote by signing a discharge petition, which is a procedural method for moving legislation out of committee to a floor vote without action by the committee chair. Currently, H.R. 15 is awaiting consideration by the House Committee on Ways and Means. Should a majority of House members sign the petition, it will come to the full House for an up or down vote. Identical legislation has already passed the Senate, and President Obama has indicated that he would sign the bill into law.

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