Markey Says Republicans ‘Extorted’ Tax Breaks for Rich

Markey Statement on Tax Cut Legislation

Editor’s note: Rep. Markey voted against a controversial bill that maintains tax cuts created during the Bush administration and that extends unemployment benefits. Reps Delahunt and Tsongas were the only two Massachusetts representatives that voted in favor of the bill. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law this afternoon.

Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

“Yesterday, I voted in opposition to the tax bill. I have strongly supported tax relief for middle class families and the inclusion of tax credits for renewable energy production in this package. But our economic recovery will not be strengthened by giving special tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires that won’t create additional jobs and will only add billions to the national debt. It is outrageous that House and Senate Republicans held middle class tax relief and an extension of unemployment benefits hostage until they extorted tax breaks for the super-wealthy. I will continue to fight to ensure that our tax code is reformed to eliminate these unjustifiable giveaways to millionaires and billionaires.”

– Information from Rep. Ed Markey