Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on Senate passage of Democratic legislation to extend the middle class tax cuts:

“Today the Senate voted to provide tax relief for 98 percent of the American people and 97 percent of small businesses. But in the House, Republicans are doubling down on the Norquist pledge and protecting tax breaks for millionaires and special interests at the expense of everyone and everything else.  This position is not just irresponsible, it’s becoming untenable.  It is time for the GOP to put the interests of American families first and stop holding tax breaks for the middle class hostage.”