Anyone who's had the opportunity to spend time with Rep. Gerry Connolly knows that his sense of humor includes getting in some one line zingers -- something I've noticed often times doubles as a way to make a political point. And that's what he does on the floor of the House of Representatives as he says "it's Grinch time in Washington" as the House Republicans are going to "oppose a tax cut for 160 million Americans."
It should be noted that many of the people most impacted by the increase in payroll taxes are those who work in the retail industry. They only making a dollar or two per hour above minimum wage, which means they're already struggling to get by and the compromise would allow them some breathing room. That breathing room is important right now because everyone is finishing up their holiday shopping now, which means many retail stores will begin laying people off and cutting the hours for those who remain on staff (which means their paychecks will be a lot smaller).
With the House GOP refusing to support this compromise, it means that millions of workers who are already taking a hit due to the normal flow of the retail industry will be forced to take another hit from the resulting increase in payroll taxes. I don't know about you, but with that in mind it certainly does seem like Gerry Connolly is right when he says "it's Grinch time in Washington" for all those retail workers.
Here's the video of Gerry's remarks.
Here's a transcript of Gerry's remarks.
ReplyDeleteMr. Speaker,
It's Grinch time in Washington, Mr. Speaker. One is incredulous that House Republicans would oppose a tax cut for 160 million Americans. But that is just what they are going to do today.
Is this bill perfect? No. There are aspects upon which both sides disagree. But it is the area of agreement that should be the most important - Congress stops playing hostage politics and halts the tax hike on 160 million fellow citizens.
Saturday's Senate vote was 89 to 10, not just liberals I say to my friend from South Carolina, with all members of the Senate leadership, Republican and Democrat, voting in favor. If House Republicans vote against this compromise, they will ring in the New Year with a tax hike of their own making.
If House Republicans were serious about wanting certainty as they claim, they would vote for this bill today - and guarantee that 160 million Americans won't pay higher taxes on January 1st.
Mr. Speaker, rejecting this bill and holding up the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits will be a true example of how the GOP Grinch stole Christmas for 160 million Americans.