Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on the failure of Congress to pass legislation to avoid the expiration of tax cuts for the middle class before year's end:
"It's absolutely unacceptable that Congress has failed to prevent a huge tax increase on the middle class and reckless domestic and defense cuts that could threaten our economic recovery. I'm encouraged by signs of an emerging deal, but it's shameful that Congress missed this critical deadline.
"There's a lot of work to be done in the hours and days to come, not only to keep middle class taxes low and prevent reckless cuts, but to tackle other major issues that have been ignored for the last two years. On all of these issues, whether it's renewing the Farm Bill or extending tax credits like those for adoption and wind energy production, the only acceptable way forward is for Congressional leaders to put aside their differences and come together."