WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) released the following statement on “The American Tax Relief Act of 2012” (H.R. 8) - legislation to avert a fiscal cliff which passed the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 257 – 167 on Tuesday, January 1. The bill, which earlier passed United States Senate, now moves to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Crenshaw, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted for the bill and stated:
“Like many of my colleagues, I had hoped to vote on a more balanced bill that cut big-government spending. While not a perfect solution, this legislation makes middle-class tax cuts permanent and protects 98 percent of Americans and small businesses from the biggest tax hike in history. Marriage penalty relief, protection for estates, expanded child-tax credits, a permanent adjustment Alternative Minimum Tax, and ensurance that doctors won’t have to incur a 27percent cut in Medicare reimbursements are among the achievements.
"Additionally, this bill takes important steps to protecting our military by delaying severe cuts that would result from sequestration. My bottom line and defense philosophy: Congres must have an unwavering commitment to national security. I won’t allow short-sighted budget decisions to turn back a decade’s worth of work rebuilding our nation’s military in Florida and around the globe.
“There’s a tremendous amount of work before Congress in the months ahead, and I am dedicated to keeping taxes low and our defense strong. The way forward must include cuts to big government spending, entitlement reform, and comprehensive and pro-growth tax reform, which broadens the base, lowers rates, raises revenues and reduces the deficit.”
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