Bonamici: Congress Should Not Turn its Back on Families and Small Businesses

Statement

Suzanne Bonamici today released the statement below in response to the stalemate in Congress over extending tax breaks for middle class families, unemployment benefits and also a tax break for small businesses.

Congress has an opportunity to show middle class families and small businesses that they have their priorities straight. But instead of standing with families and small businesses, House Republicans are choosing to protect millionaires as a tax break for families and unemployment assistance are set to expire. In a further development, House Republicans are now trying to tie the vote to approval of an unpopular oil pipeline, even as they continue to support unnecessary tax breaks to big oil companies.

Voters elect us to make choices, and those choices are a demonstration of our priorities. If I were in Congress today, I would vote to extend the payroll tax cut for families, extend unemployment benefits and to provide support to small businesses -- our Main Street businesses that were left out as Congress bailed out Wall Street. Extending the payroll tax break would mean about $1,500 in the pockets of middle families and unemployment benefits for 32,000 Oregonians still struggling to find work.

This debate is also happening here in Oregon. My position -- and my priorities -- are clear: this is not the time for a tax increase on families and an end to unemployment benefits that will affect 32,000 Oregonians. This should not even be a question in Congress.

Source