Upton Acts to Protect Michigan Families and Small Businesses from Massive Tax Hike

Statement

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) issued the following statement following the vote in the House to provide permanent tax relief for struggling families and small businesses as well as stop the federal government from going over the so-called "fiscal cliff":

"Last night, the House passed a plan to permanently extend tax relief for Southwest Michigan families and small businesses and to stop our government from going over the "fiscal cliff.' This plan is not the one I would have written, but I would not sit idly by and watch taxes go up on every American, impacting the average Southwest Michigan family to the tune of thousands of dollars.

"The plan permanently locks into place current tax rates for middle class families as our economy continues to struggle. It holds down the estate tax for our farmers and small business owners. It permanently fixes the alternative minimum tax (AMT). It provides assurance to our agriculture community by extending the existing farm bill for one year as we work toward a new long-term bill. Finally, it stops the President from giving members of Congress a pay increase as he proposed last week.

"This deal is an important first step to protect middle class families and small businesses from higher taxes. But our work will not be complete until we tackle the driver of our debt -- spending. Folks are looking for bipartisan solutions and concrete action to right the ship on spending. Every single day, families in Michigan and across America must make tough decisions to balance their checkbooks, pay the bills, and make ends meet, and they expect the same out of their government. We must continue working toward a more sound fiscal future to ensure the next generation has the same opportunities that we do today."

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