Amodei statement on senate two-month extension deal

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155

December 19, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today issued the following statement regarding the Senate's vote to extend the payroll tax holiday, among other provisions, only two months instead of the remainder of FY2012 as per the House's bipartisan agreement:

"To enact a 60-day extension of these important programs instead of a year, which would give doctors, patients, seniors, taxpayers and those looking for predictability and stability in their personal lives and jobs, is a can-kick of Olympic proportions. I have yet to hear of a reason for 60 days instead of 12 months. Conclusions for political sport are all that I see so far.

"I reject the all too familiar political blame game that too many are accustomed to starting at the first opportunity. I sincerely believe that as a part of this process Nevadans deserve to know what the future holds for them on the issues of taxes, unemployment and medical care for longer than the next 60 days. I also believe that Nevadans favor eliminating unemployment benefits to millionaires and prisoners, and implementing means testing for food stamps. The dismissive rhetoric coming out of the Senate seems to ignore the fact that 234 representatives in the House supported the year-long extension.

"I am still searching for the policy bedrock on which the 60-day timeframe is based. This is not a case of less is better. But don't take my word for it. According to the non-partisan National Payroll Reporting Consortium, the two-month plan may not even be logistically feasible and 'could create substantial problems, confusion and costs affecting a significant percentage of U.S. employers and employees.'

"If there's one thing that Nevadans do not need more of, it's the 'problems, confusion and costs' created by the 60-day plan. That is why I am more than willing to work for the next two weeks to provide some longer-term certainty so that Nevadans can plan their lives accordingly for the coming year."

# # #