December 23, 2011

Manchin Statement on Payroll Tax Agreement

Charleston, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement on the payroll tax cut extension. 

“Today's agreement and the dysfunction of the past few weeks prove once again that now is the time for our leaders and all members of Congress to put politics aside and come together in the New Year to find the long-term compromise that proved elusive these past few weeks.

“While so many West Virginians and I would have preferred a long-term deal that would protect the future solvency of Social Security, today's announcement of a short-term extension does not change our responsibility to do what is right. For the sake of Social Security, we must find a responsible long-term compromise that does not sacrifice our seniors or ignore the need for meaningful tax reform to address our exploding debt.

“I will continue to work hard on a finding a bipartisan compromise with Senate and House leadership that would protect the long-term solvency of Social Security while also putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families, helping the unemployed and making sure that we can still adequately pay the doctors who care for our seniors.

“Looking ahead, I will continue my fight to protect Social Security against any policy that undermines its long-term solvency, and I encourage my colleagues to realize that we must not allow politics or party to undermine the sole funding source for the one program that has given seniors all across West Virginia and the nation a secure and decent retirement for seven decades.”

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