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Moving at a lightning pace, the U.S. House, late Thursday night, passed legislation that avoids a Jan. 1 deadline for income tax increases and jobless benefits.
The new bill also cuts Social Security taxes for almost everyone with a job and will add additional money into the nation’s economy.
The House passed the compromise measure 277-148, less than 24 hours after the U.S. Senate moved the bill, 81-19.
"Kansans and all Americans sent a clear message on Election Day – they want productive and thoughtful adults representing them in Washington,” U.S. Reps.
Todd Tiahrt and Lynn Jenkins said in a joint statement Friday. “Playing chicken with a struggling economy to prove a political point is not why Kansans sent us to Congress. Quite simply, Kansans expect and deserve more.”
Tiahrt and Jenkins voth voted for the bill along with Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts earlier. U.S. Rep. and Sen.-elect Jerry Moran voted against the measure saying that the bill does nothing but increase the national debt.
“This legislation fails to address our nation’s most serious problem. Our country’s national debt, caused by decades of overspending and expansion of the federal government, is the greatest threat to our nation’s economy and our citizens’ well-being,” Moran said.
According to some estimates, the tax bill will add an additional $900 billion to the federal deficit.
“Difficult decisions are required, and this bill provides an easy compromise that asks little sacrifice of anyone,” Moran said. “Additional spending advocated by President Obama, not offset by reductions elsewhere in the budget, is a failure on Congress’ part.”
But, Tiahrt and Jenkins said that the bill was key because it stopped “nearly $4 trillion” in tax hikes and voting against it would “take families’ hard-earned money and put it in the government’s pockets.”
However, both said that there were parts of the package that they “strongly objected to.”
"This deal isn’t perfect, but it prevents liberal Democrats from attaining their goal of repealing the Bush tax cuts,” they said in the statement. “It is our sincere hope that the Republican House Majority will lead the next Congress in making true tax reform a top priority so we can see a paid-for and permanent extension of these tax rates and protect the American economy.”
Moran said that another reason he voted against the bill was because the temporary extension “fails to provide the necessary confidence for job creation.”
Moving at a lightning pace, the U.S. House, late Thursday night, passed legislation that avoids a Jan. 1 deadline for income tax increases and jobless benefits.
The new bill also cuts Social Security taxes for almost everyone with a job and will add additional money into the nation’s economy.
The House passed the compromise measure 277-148, less than 24 hours after the U.S. Senate moved the bill, 81-19.
"Kansans and all Americans sent a clear message on Election Day – they want productive and thoughtful adults representing them in Washington,” U.S. Reps.
Todd Tiahrt and Lynn Jenkins said in a joint statement Friday. “Playing chicken with a struggling economy to prove a political point is not why Kansans sent us to Congress. Quite simply, Kansans expect and deserve more.”
Tiahrt and Jenkins voth voted for the bill along with Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts earlier. U.S. Rep. and Sen.-elect Jerry Moran voted against the measure saying that the bill does nothing but increase the national debt.
“This legislation fails to address our nation’s most serious problem. Our country’s national debt, caused by decades of overspending and expansion of the federal government, is the greatest threat to our nation’s economy and our citizens’ well-being,” Moran said.
According to some estimates, the tax bill will add an additional $900 billion to the federal deficit.
“Difficult decisions are required, and this bill provides an easy compromise that asks little sacrifice of anyone,” Moran said. “Additional spending advocated by President Obama, not offset by reductions elsewhere in the budget, is a failure on Congress’ part.”
But, Tiahrt and Jenkins said that the bill was key because it stopped “nearly $4 trillion” in tax hikes and voting against it would “take families’ hard-earned money and put it in the government’s pockets.”
However, both said that there were parts of the package that they “strongly objected to.”
"This deal isn’t perfect, but it prevents liberal Democrats from attaining their goal of repealing the Bush tax cuts,” they said in the statement. “It is our sincere hope that the Republican House Majority will lead the next Congress in making true tax reform a top priority so we can see a paid-for and permanent extension of these tax rates and protect the American economy.”
Moran said that another reason he voted against the bill was because the temporary extension “fails to provide the necessary confidence for job creation.”
The bill now advances to President Barack Obama for his signature, which he is expected to sign.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
BREAKOUT
Here’s a look at how delegations voted for the tax bill in the U.S. House. A “yes” vote is a vote to pass the measure. Voting yes were 139 Democrats and 138 Republicans. Voting no were 112 Democrats and 36 Republicans:
COLORADO
Democrats - DeGette, N; Markey, Y; Perlmutter, N; Polis, Y; Salazar, Y.
Republicans - Coffman, Y; Lamborn, N.
KANSAS
Democrats - Moore, Y.
Republicans - Jenkins, Y; Moran, N; Tiahrt, Y.
MISSOURI
Democrats - Carnahan, Y; Clay, Y; Cleaver, N; Skelton, Y.
Republicans - Akin, Y; Blunt, Y; Emerson, Y; Graves, Y; Luetkemeyer, Y.
NEBRASKA
Republicans - Fortenberry, N; Smith, Y; Terry, Y.
OKLAHOMA
Democrats - Boren, Y.
Republicans - Cole, Y; Fallin, Y; Lucas, Y; Sullivan, N.
