Rep. Tom Graves votes to cut payroll taxes, protect social security, and create jobs

Media release: U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) issued the following statement after voting for HR 3630, the "Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011."  The measure extends the payroll tax cut for one year and renews aid for the unemployed, while cutting back the maximum length of jobless benefits from the current 99 weeks to 59. The bill also allows states more flexibility in distributing unemployment assistance, permitting states to require those applying to submit to drug tests or show they are pursuing a high school degree if they don't have one.  It also includes a provision that sets a 60-day deadline for the President to make a decision about whether to permit the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would create jobs for American workers and increase our energy supply.

 

"We have to stop spending money we don't have.  This bill protects workers from a tax increase in January but doesn't steal from the Social Security trust fund to do it.  Instead, the government will have to tighten its belt to cover the cost of the tax cut, not Social Security recipients.  The plan protects the Social Security trust fund by freezing pay for government workers, including members of Congress, reforms programs that are filled with waste, repeals portions of Obamacare, and reduces subsidies for the wealthy."

 

"The plan will reform the Unemployment Insurance program so it focuses on helping Americans get back to work.  The reforms to this program will also give much-needed flexibility to the states on how they administer these benefits. "

 

"Because jobs are our number one priority, this bill also helps support the creation of private sector jobs, including the Keystone XL energy pipeline.   Not only is the construction of the Keystone pipeline projected to create 20,000 jobs, it will also increase America's access to safe and secure energy supplies at no cost to taxpayers.  President Obama wants to postpone the decision on whether to build the pipeline until after the 2012 election.  However, this bill sets a 60-day deadline for the President to make a decision.  If we don't move forward on the Keystone XL pipeline now, we are giving China a full year to come to Canada, make those investments, lock up that oil, and encourage that pipeline to go – not to the Gulf Coast – but to Vancouver.  From there, the oil would go on ships to China.  We need to keep those jobs, and that energy supply, here in the United States."