Hoekstra Statement on Symbolic Tax Vote

Statement

U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today issued the following statement on the disingenuous tax bill that House Democrats brought to the floor today:

"The president opened negotiations with Republican and Democratic leaders from the House and Senate this week on a tax bill. This outreach effort by the President is now being undercut by the Speaker. The Speaker is rushing a tax bill that reflects her views, rather than waiting for the bipartisan approach being formulated by the team put together by the president and Democrat and Republican leaders earlier this week. She should not undercut this effort of cooperative legislating.

"The U.S. economy cannot withstand the largest tax increase in history in the aftermath of the great financial crisis, when Americans continue to struggle to find jobs. The vote today is a purely symbolic effort by partisan House Democrats to say that they trying to help the economy when everyone else sees it for what it is: higher taxes on small businesses that will continue to stall job growth.

"Tax increases are invariably impeding economic growth because employers cannot afford to hire and entrepreneurs are skeptical about launching and growing their businesses.

"Permanent tax certainty is necessary across the board for the economy to rebound. Small businesses will continue to sit on the sidelines until they know for sure how much they will pay the government. Partisan Democrats in the House should learn the lesson of the latest election, and that is Americans see through political ploys and will not stand for them."

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