Majority Chooses Tax Breaks for Chavez Over Tax Relief for Middle-Class |
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Congressman John Boehner
February 27, 2008
Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today opposed tax hike legislation destined to raise gasoline prices for American families. Boehner issued the following statement after lawmakers rejected a Republican plan to eliminate tax breaks for Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez and permanently extend marriage penalty and child tax credit relief for middle-class families:
"Middle-class families and small businesses are feeling the squeeze from rising costs for gasoline, food, and other costs of living. Unfortunately, the Majority's no energy' bill will only make matters worse by raising taxes and setting the table for even higher prices at the pump. Worse yet, it actually carves out tax breaks for Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez - courtesy of American taxpayers. This is unacceptable, and the Majority leadership is irresponsible for bringing the bill to the House floor.
"I am disappointed that the Majority voted down a Republican proposal to eliminate the tax relief for Hugo Chavez and give it to those who need it most: middle-class American families. The largest tax increase in American history is on the horizon, and House Republicans are committed to stopping it. Today, we gave the House a chance to halt a portion of this massive tax increase by permanently ending the marriage penalty and keeping the child tax credit intact. The Majority refused to join us and instead put themselves on the record in favor of higher taxes for married couples and middle-class parents. American families have been put on notice: in this broken Congress, the Majority party is not looking out for their best interests."
NOTE: The House voted down a Republican proposal to make permanent two key tax relief initiatives in the 2001 and 2003 tax relief laws - the expanded child tax credit and marriage penalty relief - while removing Democrat-sponsored provisions that provide tax breaks for Chavez's CITGO and raise taxes on millions of Americans.
Boehner represents Ohio's 8th District, which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.