Congressman Steny Hoyer (D: MD-5th) criticized House Republicans for not agreeing to extend tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans during a teleconference with the media on Thursday. Hoyer also is worried about what would happen if sequestration went in to effect.
“Yesterday, we failed in the House as we have in the past, to embrace a bipartisan agreement because of the desire to have it all one way or not do an agreement,” Hoyer said. “What I mean, as you’ve heard me say, everybody in the House and Senate agree taxes should not be raised on those making up to $200,000.
“Because we had an agreement, the Senate passed that bill, but because we did not agree on continuing ‘Bush Tax Cuts’ for those over those numbers, the House proceeded to pass their bill which they knew would not be passed (by the Senate) and the president would veto. In addition, they made sure it was going to fail because, when we adopt later today, the Republican process to pursue tax reform. This process is not one supported by us, the Senate or the President.”
Hoyer criticized the tax cuts that the Republican controlled House of Representatives passed on Wednesday, saying they would actually increase taxes on 25 million lower-income Americans while cutting taxes for the wealthiest.
“It’s unfortunate the TEA Party Republicans pursue confrontation over consensus and agreement,” he said. “We have been consistent, in the House of Reps, in choosing partisan opportunities over bipartisan success so we’ll leave here today without having done our work for the American people.”
Hoyer spoke about the sequestration cuts that will go in to effect on January 2nd, saying he hoped a compromise could be made before or during the lame-duck session.
“My view has been that we need to adopt a Bowles-Simpson plan to address our deficit as well as investment in jobs, growing economy,” Hoyer said. “We’ve got to do so in a balanced way. If we’re going to be responsible, we need to show the courage to address these issues in the lame duck. I don’t think it will be done before the election. Sequestration goes in to effect Jan 2nd. It was constructed because of Republican pressure to adopt huge cuts in spending. I am hopeful we will substitute a Bowles-Simpson type plan.”
The Hill, a Congressional newspaper, reported on Thursday that Congressman Steve LaTourette (R: OH-14th) will unveil a plan after the November 6th election that is described as a plan similar to the Simpson-Bowles plan and would include changes to Medicare along with other cuts. LaTourette, who is working with other Republicans and Democrats on the plan, is not seeking re-election. In response to a question from TheBAYNET regarding the report, Hoyer said he is open to cutting entitlement spending.
“I’ve talked to Steve (LaTourette) as recently as today which include possible alternatives,” Hoyer said. &
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