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Without common ground on this issue, “Washington’s job-killing partisan gridlock is going to raise the taxes of 160 million Americans.”
December 8, 2011 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson urged Washington to put aside its partisan differences and work together to prevent an increase in payroll taxes that will hit 160 million Americans on January 1, 2012.
After two failed votes to extend the payroll tax cut this afternoon, Nelson made the following statement:
“Today I voted to keep taxes lower for one million Nebraska taxpayers who face a payroll tax increase on New Year’s Day.
“The average Nebraska family saved $949 in 2011 because of the payroll tax cut Congress approved last year.
“The bill I supported today, if it passed, would have extended those tax cuts and would have saved $1,472 for the average Nebraska family in 2012.
“I would prefer to extend tax cuts to Nebraska’s small businesses, like the payroll tax extension I voted for last week, but I hope today’s bill takes us closer to a bipartisan solution that avoids a tax increase for one million Nebraskans.
“This should not be controversial. The payroll tax cut would prevent a tax hike on American families of all income levels, be fully paid for, not add a dime to the deficit, and would not touch the Social Security Trust Fund.
“We need to stop the partisan posturing, work together, and get this accomplished for the 160 million Americans – including one million Nebraskans – who will face a tax increase in less than a month if nothing is done.
“If Democrats, Republicans and independents can’t find common ground on this issue, Washington’s job-killing partisan gridlock is going to raise the taxes of 160 million Americans.
“We have to make sure this does not happen, and we can do that by working together. Doing nothing is not acceptable.”
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