CONGRESSMAN DAN LUNGREN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 3…..”WHAT AN OUTRAGE !!”
What an outrage! In August, Congress spent six and a half weeks in recess. Congress came back into session in the beginning of September. After only six working days consisting of naming post offices, honoring the anniversary of Hoover Dam, congratulating sports teams, and welcoming Stephen Colbert to testify in character on immigration reform, Congress has once again adjourned for another six and a half weeks.
This means that the House Leadership decided to leave the most important and time-sensitive matters to the lame-duck Congress that will convene in the middle of November. At that time, the Leadership might finally allow us to address Medicare physician reimbursement, unemployment extension, spending authorizations, and how to deal with the tax increases set for January 2011.
This last issue, the expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, is a matter that will affect every single taxpayer. Those earning California’s average household income of $57,000 will have their taxes increased by about $1,000. Those with incomes below $20,000 will also see tax increases, and 50 percent of small business income will be subject to the tax increases imposed on the highest earners. Raising taxes in the middle of an economic downturn is the worst thing we can do, unless we want to imitate Herbert Hoover’s actions leading up to the Great Depression.
This issue is one with bipartisan consensus: 47 Democrats signed a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to extend all tax cuts. Moreover, 39 Democrats voted against adjourning before addressing the tax issue. By just one vote – cast by Speaker Pelosi – the House approved the motion to adjourn without providing tax relief to every American.
The best, most immediate effort Congress can make to help put the jobless back to work and free American families to spend and save is to prevent their taxes from increasing. Although the Leadership has punted this issue, holding Americans hostage to their timeline rather than doing the work the people need, I am committed to being your voice in the nation’s capital no matter what the Leadership says.
I am on my way back home to California now, where I will spend time hearing from you to ensure that your voice is accurately and effectively reflected in my service in Congress. I look forward to seeing you at home.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Lungren
Member of Congress
Member of Congress
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