On December 4, House Democrats introduced a discharge petition to force a floor vote on Senate-passed legislation (S. 3412) that would preserve Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class.

Attention Tom Reed – your constituents need you to sign this petition and protect them from at least some of the damage they will suffer if the country plunges over the fiscal cliff on January 1.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi notes that only a couple of dozen Republican signatures are required to reach the 218 needed to bring the Senate bill to the floor, which could happen as early as Christmas Eve.  Passage of the Senate bill would be a wonderful last-minute gift for voters in the 23^rd NY, Tom!

Republican leaders have kept the bill from a vote as a bargaining tactic intended to strengthen their hand in challenging President Obama’s responsible proposals for avoiding the fiscal cliff.  The President seeks tax increases for the wealthy, not the middle class.  Tom, very few of your constituents are wealthy.  You should not be participating in a confrontation that puts their interests at risk.

Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota, who introduced the discharge petition, pointed out that “By extending the tax cuts, every American will get a tax break on the first $250,000 of income. Let me repeat that 100 percent of Americans will receive a tax break on $250,000 of income. [The Senate bill] also extends the child tax credit, makes it easier for small businesses to invest, makes it affordable to go to college, and fixes the alternative minimum tax.”

These are benefits your constituents need very much, Tom.  Sign the petition!

–Ray Copson