In 2010 the President and 139 Congressional Democrats supported efforts to stop the largest tax hike on American families and small businesses from going into effect – arguing you don’t raise taxes in a down economy. How has our economy changed in the last two years?

Unemployment has remained above 8 percent for 41 months straight and GDP growth last quarter was a measly 1.5 percent. If Democratic support for tax increases is based on their belief the economy is ‘doing fine,’ they are seriously out-of-touch with what Americans are currently experiencing.

House Republicans know that raising taxes on job creators is the last thing we should be doing right now and remain committed to protecting small businesses and middle class families. If anyone on the list below changes their stance from their 2010 yes vote and votes “no” on stopping the tax hike, don’t hesitate to ask the same question Majority Whip McCarthy posed at today’s Leadership stakeout: 

“As the Speaker and Leader said, today is a big contrast between House Republicans and Washington Democrats. Two years ago, when the Democrats controlled everything in Washington, the question of raising taxes stood before Congress. At that time, 139 Democrats voted to extend the current rates and stop the tax increase. Among them are Debbie Wasserman Shultz, Steny Hoyer and Mr. Israel. Today, 86 of them still serve in Congress. The argument they made at the time was that you do not raise taxes in a down economy.

“The question for the Democrats now begs; Do they think the economy is strong? … Do they think the economy is strong enough to cut 710,000 jobs? They either believe that it is, or they are completely out-of-touch with the American people.

“What the House is doing goes beyond just extending the tax cuts – we want to eliminate uncertainty. Not only will we extend the current tax rates and stop the tax hike, we will also believe in reforming the tax code – which will create a million new jobs. We know the economy is not strong, and we want to make it stronger. We believe it can be if you unshackle what holds us back.”

Today, there are 86 Democrats serving in the House, including in Democratic Leadership (Whip Hoyer, Steve Israel) and as Chair of the Democratic National Committee (Debbie Wasserman Schultz) that voted to stop the tax hike in 2010. Below is a full list of the 86 Democrats who voted to stop the tax hike and a few that were on-message while doing it.

 

Whip Hoyer Says He’ll Vote To Stop Tax Hike Because ‘It Helps The Economy.’ “‘I’m going to vote for this bill because I do think it helps the economy….’ (Gail Russell Chaddock, “House Passes Bipartisan Tax Cut Deal, First Of Obama Administration,” The Christian Science Monitor, 12/17/10)

 

Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-04): “Job Creating Small Businesses and Employers Need Certainty.” “I repeatedly argued in favor of extending all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, because they are necessary to keep our nation’s economic recovery moving forward. By extending all current tax rates, we’re giving Americans the certainty needed to make long-term investments and spur job growth. (Press Release, 12/17/10)

 

Rep. John Barrow (GA-12): “I Don’t Think Raising Taxes On Anyone Is The Right Thing To Do.” “I don’t think raising taxes on anyone is the thing to do right now,” Barrow said. “That’s not going to help us recover, and recovery is what we need right now.”  (Larry Peterson, “Barrow Says Congress Should Extend Bush Tax Cuts,” Savannah Morning News, 9/17/10)

 

Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02): “Given the current state of our fragile economic recovery, now is not the time to raise taxes on any American.” Businesses large and small are still having difficulty creating new jobs, training their workers, and growing for the future. I remain deeply concerned that raising taxes on those businesses would further impede job creation and punish success at a time when we should be encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit.” (Rep. Bishop Press Release, 12/2/10).                                                                                                           

 

Rep. Jim Costa (CA-20): “A failure to act would have left countless Valley families and businesses out in the cold.” Looking ahead, the American people want to see two things. First, they want to see an end to the election year tactics of both parties. With too many politicians focused more on trading jabs than doing the work of the people, the tax cut debate showed Washington at its worst. Enough is enough. We can’t move our economy forward unless members of both parties leave the campaign politics behind.” (“What’s in the tax cut extensions,” Central Valley Business Times, 12/16/10)

 

Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28): “A Substantial Tax Increase Would Discourage Business Investment & Job Creation.” “In the midst of our budding economic recovery, a substantial tax increase would discourage business investment and job creation, reduce consumer confidence and increase market uncertainty.” (Press Release, 12/10/10).

Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04) Says Stopping Tax Hike Will Create Jobs & Is Essential. “… I urge House leadership to act quickly on this job-creating bill when the Senate completes its work. Passage of this legislation is essential.” (Press Release, 12/14/10).

Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11): “Raising Taxes Will Do Real Damage To A Very Fragile Economic Recovery.” “‘I have made the economic argument that raising taxes right now, which is effectively what you do when you allow the tax cuts to expire, I think, does real damage to a very fragile economic recovery.’ he said on Fox News.” (Arthur Delaney, “Gerry Connolly Explains Why Deficits Prohibit Reauthorizing Jobless Aid But Not Bush Tax Cuts,” The Huffington Post, 9/16/10)

 

Rep. Daniel Lipinski: “We Cannot Afford To Raise Taxes.” “During these tough economic times we cannot afford to raise taxes…” (Press Release, December 16, 2010)

 

Rep. Albio Sires (NJ-13): “Offers Critical Relief To Families.” “This legislation offers the critical relief families in New Jersey and across the country need to continue to rebuild their economic security during our nation’s ongoing economic recovery.” (Press Release, 12/16/10)

 

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13): “House Should Vote For Proposal that Extends Tax Cuts For All Americans.” “The House should vote for this proposal, which extends tax cuts for all Americans and provides sensible estate tax relief for 99.75 percent of our nation’s small businesses, families, and farms.” (Press Release, 12/17/10)

 

Rep. David Scott (GA-13): “We Dare Not Go Home Today And Raise Taxes On The American People.” “Now is the time to ask, ‘what is best for the American people?’ By American people I mean every American from the top of the economic ladder to the bottom. … We dare not go home today and raise taxes on the American people. We’ve got to cut the taxes and keep them down.” (Floor Speech, 12/6/10)

 

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02):  “I Put Politics Aside And Voted To Help Grow The Economy & Create Jobs.” “Tonight, I put politics aside and voted to help grow the economy, create jobs and put money in the pockets of folks who need it to get by during these tough times. (Press Release, 12/17/10)

 

Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02): “This Prevents taxes From Increasing At A Time When Economic Recovery Is Still Fragile.” “This bipartisan compromise prevents taxes from increasing at a time when the economic recovery is still fragile. Economists believe it will help with job growth. Most importantly, this allows Utahns to keep more of their hard-earned money and have more certainty about their own family budgeting and tax planning,” (Press Release, 12/17/10)

 

Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-7): “We Simply Cannot Afford To Raise Taxes On Anyone.” “During these tough times, we simply cannot afford to raise taxes on anyone, and we must help those who are struggling to find a job.  This bill brings some certainty to North Carolina families and businesses by letting them budget and plan.”  (Press Release, 12/17/10)

 

Rep. Gary Peters (MI-9): “Tax Cut Will Help Create Jobs.” “The tax cut plan passing today, while not perfect, will help create jobs by focusing on middle class families and small businesses that are the backbone of our economy and have felt the brunt of the economic downturn” (Press Release, 12/16/10)

 

Full Roll Call Vote – Democrats Voting To Stop The Tax Hike In 2010:

 

Altmire

Andrews

Baca

Barrow

Berkley

Berman

Bishop (GA)

Bishop (NY)

Boren

Boswell

Brady (PA)

Capps

Cardoza

Carnahan

Carney

Carson (IN)

Castor

Chandler

Clay

Connolly (VA)

Costa

Courtney

Critz

Crowley

Cuellar

Davis (CA)

Davis (IL)

Deutch (FL)

Dicks

Dingell

Donnelly (IN)

Doyle

Fattah

Gonzalez

Green, Al

Gutierrez

Higgins

Himes

Hinojosa

Holden

Hoyer

Israel

Johnson (GA)

Kildee

Kissell

Kucinich

Langevin

Larsen (WA)

Levin

Lipinski

Loebsack

Lowey

Maloney

Matheson

McIntyre

McNerney

Meeks

Owens

Pallone

Pascrell

Pastor (AZ)

Peters

Peterson

Polis (CO)

Price (NC)

Quigley

Rahall

Richardson

Ross

Rothman (NJ)

Ruppersberger

Ryan (OH)

Sarbanes

Schakowsky

Schiff

Schwartz

Scott (GA)

Sherman

Schuler

Sires

Sutton

Tsongas

Walz

Wasserman Schultz

Watt

Waxman

 

By Mike Long

Deputy Press Secretary

Office of the House Majority Whip

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-22)

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