Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after voting for a plan to extend middle class tax relief and against a Republican proposal that would have raised taxes on the middle class and cut taxes for those making more than $1 million a year.

“The stakes of this debate could not be clearer. The plan I voted for would make sure all middle-class Americans get to keep their tax cuts, creating certainty for families who are still struggling to recover. The plan I voted for extends vital tax credits for college students and working parents. The plan I voted for cuts the deficit, by finally ending the tax breaks for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. The plan I voted for is about fairness and fiscal responsibility.

“To their credit, Republicans have made it clear where they stand: shoulder-to-shoulder with the wealthiest 2 percent. They showed today that they would rather let everyone’s taxes go up if they can’t protect their friends in the top 2 percent. They want higher taxes on teachers, machinists and members of the military if Warren Buffet and the Koch brothers don’t get a huge giveaway.

“We tried the Republican way before. It hasn’t worked. Where’s the prosperity they promised?

“For all of their talk about cutting the deficit, Republicans showed today they will not put their money where their mouths are. Their plan would balloon the deficit by handing the wealthiest 2 percent a tax giveaway that they don’t need, and that will cost future generations billions to pay off.”