Graves Statement on Lack of Action on Tax Relief

Statement

U.S. Congressman Sam Graves issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives adjourning early without extending the tax relief bills originally passed in 2001 and 2003:

"By leaving Washington early, the Congressional Leadership has once again missed an opportunity to stop the largest tax increase in American history. Unless action is taken to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax relief packages the impending $3.9 trillion tax hike will affect every single taxpayer starting on January 1. No American should face a tax increase right now, especially with unemployment at 9.6 percent and nearly 15 million Americans currently looking for jobs.

"Congress, for its part, can't create the new jobs we need for a full economic recovery. But we can certainly help set the table for economic growth in the private sector. Right now, we can do that by keeping all of the tax relief on the books. Businesses -- both small and large -- will not expand and they will not hire when they're facing a massive tax increase and harmful new regulations around every corner. They need to see that it is safe to set foot on the playing field and that it is okay to start making investments in their businesses again.

"If the President and Congressional Democrats are serious about job creation, there's one clear way forward, and that's for us to come together and pass legislation immediately that cuts spending and stops all of the approaching tax hikes. At the end of the day, what we need is fiscal discipline and less federal spending, not a massive tax increase."

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