Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), released the following statement after voting to extend tax cuts for middle class families and small businesses. The Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 will extend tax cuts for families that make less than $250,000 a year and 97% of small businesses. 

“Today, I supported immediately extending tax cuts for middle class families.

“Families in Northwest Washington are still struggling to make ends meet in these tough economic times. Until the economy has recovered, and people can feel it, helping the middle class needs to be a top priority. 

“Middle class families need this financial relief and will actually use the tax break to spend money and help fuel our local economy. 

“While I support an immediate tax cut for middle class families, I cannot support a proposal that will blow a $700 billion hole in the national debt just to cut taxes for people who make over $250,000.

“I heard a loud and clear message from folks in Northwest Washington this fall: ‘get control of the debt.’  I am working to find the right balance between extending the tax cuts to the middle class and controlling the exploding federal debt and deficit.

“Controlling the debt also means controlling spending. The annual deficit, that is still too large, fell $125 billion in the last twelve months and is expected to drop over another $260 billion in the next year, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

“I believe Congress needs to keep this momentum going by controlling the growth of government and reigning in spending. I am fighting to change the way Congress manages the federal budget.”

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