December 17, 2011

Manchin: Americans Deserve Better Than 2-Month Stopgap Measures and Partisan Games

Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued the following statement after voting against a 2-month proposal to extend the payroll tax cut.

“No matter where anyone stands on the payroll tax debate, this 2-month proposal is a failure for the American people. I am furious and disgusted that anyone could imagine this stopgap measure is the best that Congress could offer hard-working Americans, seniors and the unemployed. Delaying a decision for another two months makes no sense – especially when Congress will not be working for one of those months. Only in Washington would you get a month off for failing to do your job. West Virginians and all Americans deserve better, and I will not play these games. 

“While some at the highest level are playing partisan politics, I was willing and prepared to stay in Washington through the holidays and January to find a reasonable compromise. I was willing to compromise because I believe that both sides can give up ground to do the right thing for the people who sent us here. I had been working hard with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to develop a long-term solution that will ultimately stop this government’s irresponsible raid on Social Security, while also addressing the need to responsibly extend unemployment insurance and ensure that seniors can see their doctors.

“Looking ahead, I will continue to work hard to find a responsible compromise, and I hope that my colleagues and the President will do what is right and not allow this debate to degenerate into a partisan mudfight that serves election-year politics, but does not serve the American people.”

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