[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        OPPOSITION TO H.R. 4849

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Barrett) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight in 
opposition to H.R. 4849, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs 
Act.
  This bill will raise taxes by as much as $16 billion and will limit 
business' ability to expand and create new jobs. This massive tax 
increase will deal a devastating blow to the Nation's and South 
Carolina's already struggling economy.
  Democrats say they are trying to introduce legislation that will help 
foster job creation; but if that is truly the case, then why does H.R. 
4849 place new taxes on companies doing business in the U.S. during an 
economic downturn?
  Eighty percent of the bill's funding goes to growing State and local 
governments, which we all know will not solve our Nation's abysmal 
unemployment rate. Our Nation's economy is already on life support, 
Madam Speaker. We cannot afford to enact any legislation that further 
jeopardizes job creation.
  It is time to put an end to excessive taxing and runaway spending. 
Instead, we should focus on the time-tested principles, such as 
extending the 2001 and 2003 tax relief provisions which will, just by 
chance, expire at the end of this year.
  Madam Speaker, I came down to the floor this evening because someone 
has got to stand up for America and small businesses. In fact, there 
are other places I am really supposed to be right now, but this is 
exactly where I need to be right now: defending American jobs.
  The truth is, this bill will not strengthen our economy or create 
more jobs. Instead, it will create unnecessary financial hardships for 
businesses that are already struggling to survive.
  For months, Democrats have been pushing job-killing legislation, 
everything from stimulus to a government takeover of health care. It is 
time for Congress to stop spending and taxing excessively.
  We should start working together on creating viable solutions that 
create more private sector jobs that our country and especially South 
Carolina so desperately need.

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