WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Chris Gibson (R-20th) joined a minority of other House Republicans and most Democrats in voting to support the Senate measure averting the income tax hikes that were part of the “fiscal cliff.”
In a statement issued after the vote Tuesday evening, following the 257-to-167 vote in the House of Representatives, Mr. Gibson said, Early Tuesday morning, the Senate passed legislation by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 89-8 that will make permanent the lower tax rates of the Bush era. I support this bill and voted ‘yes’ as it provides much needed tax relief for over 99% of my constituents. Making these tax cuts permanent was one of my major goals when I first ran for Congress–this will help small businesses grow and working families keep more of their hard-earned money.”
Mr. Gibson, who will be sworn in the week to his second term in office, this time representing the new 19th Congressional district, went on to say, “Growing up in a working class family, I know firsthand the value of every dollar when you’re trying to make ends meet. I’m relieved that nearly all of my constituents will be protected from tax increases. Unfortunately, we did not get the major agreement necessary to stabilize the deficit. We need to pick up the pace to achieve necessary long-term deficit reduction or we will decline as an economic power and take with it the hopes and dreams of future generations.”
The congressman, whose district includes all of Columbia County, reaffirmed his support, expressed during his campaign for reelection, for a measure called the Cooper-LaTourette Budget, something he sees as an alternative to budget proposals proposed by the GOP majority in the House. He said Tuesday the Cooper-LaTourette Budget, which grew out of the Simpson-Bowles commission appointed by President Obama, “provides the framework to begin the negotiations on further fiscal reform. “As we move forward, we don’t need a new study, new commission, or new Joint Select Committee to get things started–we should utilize the Simpson-Bowles report, modified by Cooper-LaTourette to attract more bipartisan support, to forge the major agreement necessary.
After the new Congress is seated this month members must address remaining fiscal issues including major across-the-board government spending cuts and the need to increase the federal debt ceiling. Talking about those issues and the deficit, Mr. Gibson said in his statement, “Our country and future generations are counting on us to get this done and 2013 must be the year.”