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Representative Mike Kelly Votes to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits

December 14, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Julia Thornton

December 13, 2011

202-525-0182

Representative Mike Kelly Votes to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits

Washington, D.C. —U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) issued the following statement on his vote in support of  H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011, which passed the House tonight by a vote of 234 to 193:

“Tens of millions of Americans are entering this holiday season either unemployed or underemployed, and, as we learned in the November jobs report, hundreds of thousands more have given up hope altogether, completely throwing in the towel on their job search.

“The Obama economy is not only failing to produce the results we need to turn our economy around, it’s failing the American people and threatening the American dream.

“To help those Americans who are out of work, and to give tax relief to those who are working, the House passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011, which will not only extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, it will also create shovel-ready, family-sustaining jobs, while creating a better climate for job growth in America.

“While the bill was not perfect, it prevented a tax hike on the middle class while advancing initiatives supported by both Republicans and Democrats. In fact, to offset the cost, the bill includes common sense spending cuts, 90 percent of which have also been proposed by President Obama.

“In addition, H.R. 3630 freezes pay for government workers, including members of Congress, and reforms programs that are wasteful and riddled with fraud and abuse.

“I urge the Senate and the president to stand with the House in supporting this bill, not only in the spirit of bipartisanship, but in the spirit of good will toward the millions of Americans who are truly suffering this season, and have been for years on end.”

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