Senate and House Key Vote: Reject Fiscal Cliff Bill
Dear Senators* and Representatives:
On behalf of more than two million Americans for Prosperity activists in all 50 states, I urge you to reject the so-called American Taxpayer Relief Act. This bill fails to protect the economy from tax hikes, does not control spending and is a terrible example of Washington backroom deals.
I urge you to vote NO on the amended H.R. 8. Americans for Prosperity will include this vote in our congressional scorecard.
Although this legislation contains many laudable elements, its flaws outweigh its benefits. Primarily, this bill does not stop the looming tax hikes. Despite what some may claim, taxes will be higher than last year under this bill. For example, the payroll tax is going up for workers across the country. It is little solace to taxpayers that Washington is using baseline gimmicks to claim this bill is a tax cut.
This bill also fails to control spending. It not only turns off a portion of the sequester, it trades those scheduled spending reductions for higher revenue. Swapping in-hand spending cuts for higher taxes is unacceptable. Other flawed provisions include an extension and expansion of the wind PTC, a higher death tax and an extension of seemingly unending unemployment benefits.
This bill does contain many good policies, such as establishing permanency in the code. The AMT is finally being indexed to inflation. Expiration of marginal and investment rates will no longer loom over the economy. The R&D and expensing provisions also move the code in the right direction. On balance, however, this bill does not meet the basic test of stopping tax hikes and controlling spending.
I urge you to vote NO on the amended H.R. 8. Americans for Prosperity will include this vote in our congressional scorecard.
Sincerely,
James Valvo
Director of Policy
Americans for Prosperity
*Note: Due to the absurd process surrounding this legislation and against our normal practice, AFP is issuing this letter after the Senate has voted.
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