Gillibrand Votes for Fiscally Responsible Budget and Middle Class Tax Cuts

Press Release

Gillibrand Votes for Fiscally Responsible Budget and Middle Class Tax Cuts

Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand voted for middle class tax cuts. The five-year budget blueprint she voted for is projected to produce a revenue surplus, while also promoting local priorities, such as middle class tax cuts, education, health care and energy independence investments. An identical version of the budget was passed yesterday in the Senate.

"With a $9 trillion national debt, it is imperative that Congress returns to fiscal discipline and focus federal spending only on our national priorities," Congresswoman Gillibrand said. "Furthermore, this budget makes middle class tax cuts a priority, so that hardworking families can keep more of the money they earn."

The budget is fiscally responsible, resulting in a budget surplus by 2012 and strictly adheres to Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) budget rules. As a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, Gillibrand has been a leader in making fiscal responsibility a priority for the Congress. She introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution that requires Congress to balance their budget every year. In addition, she is a sponsor of legislation that will implement spending caps on discretionary spending.

The budget plan calls for significant tax relief for middle income families, including extension of marriage penalty relief and the child tax credit, as well as allowing for estate tax reform. It also includes an additional year of Alternative Minimum Tax relief. Congresswoman Gillibrand has made a permanent fix to the AMT, which would hit many upstate New York families in the coming years, a priority of hers in Congress.

The budget responds to record high gas prices by making key investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, which will create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Additionally, the budget enhances national security by restoring our military readiness, providing a $4.9 billion increase over Fiscal Year 2008 for veterans' health care and increasing funding to protect America from terrorism.

A variety of organizations support this budget, including the AARP, the American Hospital Association, the American Legion, International Association of Firefighters and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

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