WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) issued the following statement in response to President Obama's order to Congress to extend for one year the current tax rates for households earning less than $250,000, while hiking taxes on small businesses and higher income earners who help create jobs:

"President Obama saw a dismal jobs report on Friday and knows he cannot run on a record of economic failure, so he is again resorting to the politics of envy and division to distract Americans from disastrous policies. Today, the President blamed current tax rates for his record-breaking debt and deficits. This could not be further from the truth. The President's historic "stimulus" spending spree and his refusal to support meaningful spending reductions are why our nation is falling deeper into a financial crisis.

"Forcing tax hikes on small businesses and job creators in a weak economy is a recipe for disaster. So is an attempt at a short-term fix designed to aid the President's re-election bid, which is what today's announcement is.  Americans don't need higher taxes, half measures and political gimmicks that serve only the President's political interests."

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