[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A VOTE FOR SPEAKER BOEHNER'S PLAN B IS A VOTE FOR TAX INCREASES

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 21, 2012

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, last night we hoped to have proof that 
Republicans can raise taxes. Speaker Boehner's Plan B not only raised 
taxes on millionaires, but on working families too. Yet, Grover 
Norquist, tax lobbyist and self-appointed Emperor of Taxes, proclaimed 
that Plan B does not violate his ``no tax increases pledge.'' Sorry 
Grover, it does, and conservative groups know it.
  Heritage Action, Club for Growth, Citizens United, Tea Party Express 
and others all agree that this bill raises taxes, and oppose it for 
exactly that reason.
  We were hopeful that Speaker Boehner decided to send a message to 
Grover Norquist that his tax pledge days are over--every Republican 
that would have voted for the plan would break the pledge by voting to 
raise taxes. Norquist's pledge was ridiculous to begin with. Presidents 
Reagan and Bush both said they wouldn't raise taxes, but did because it 
was the responsible thing to do.
  Unfortunately, last night the Republican caucus failed to stand up to 
their misguided ideology on tax increases. At the last minute, Speaker 
Boehner pulled the bill because it didn't have the votes. Rather than 
take a difficult vote, the Speaker showed us, yet again, that the House 
Republicans cannot deal with the problems of this country.

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