Rep. Lankford on tax relief and job creation

Washington, D.C. – Congressman James Lankford (R-OK) supported H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 Tuesday as comprehensive legislation to help grow the economy and limit the growth of the federal government.

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act will encourage private sector job creation and protect all Americans from a tax increase in 2012 by allowing the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, blocking implementation of the job killing EPA Boiler MACT regulation, and reforming the federal unemployment program.

“As we head into the Christmas season, millions of Americans expect Washington to provide solutions not just complain about the problems,” said Congressman Lankford. “This is another bill from the House that encourages private sector job creation, reforms government programs and pays for itself by reducing the growth of government spending. This bill is right for working Americans, senior citizens, the energy sector, and the unemployed.”

“It was essential in all of our Conference negotiations that any short term change in the Social Security tax payments did not cause long term damage or debt to the Social Security Trust Fund. The final bill protects Social Security and still ensures that no one in this country will pay higher taxes next year,” continued Congressman Lankford. “Moving ahead with the Keystone Pipeline will create 20,000 jobs nationwide and give Oklahoma a $1.2 billion economic boost. Finally, we will reform the unemployment system by ending payments to people to just sit at home for almost two years, and instead focus on transitioning them back into the workforce.”

The cost of the bill is fully offset with spending cuts, and it protects Social Security by replacing lost revenue to the trust fund with a pay freeze on government workers, reducing subsidies, and reforming government programs. Congressman Lankford said the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act is responsible legislation that will help boost the private sector while not adding to the deficit, and he urged the Senate to take it up immediately.

“The Senate has spent all of 2011 ignoring the ever-growing stack of job-creating bills that have passed the House. It would be a nice Christmas gift to all Americans facing economic hardships if the Senate would get to work,” continued Congressman Lankford. “Many of the ideas contained in this bill have bi-partisan support; in fact some of the cost saving ideas come directly from the White House. This bill is designed to focus on both the present economic conditions and the long term fiscal debt realities,” concluded Congressman Lankford.