Dec 19, 2011

DCCC Presses House Republicans To Stop Tea Party Middle Income Tax Increase

The DCCC is today launching automated phone calls, some of which were recorded by James Carville, in the districts of 20 targeted House Republicans demanding they support this bipartisan compromise to protect middle income taxpayers from a $1,000 tax hike rather than protect Big Oil.  In addition to the automated calls, the DCCC is launching a new Payroll Tax Action Center, www.stopthemiddleclasstaxincrease.com, live calls, and online ads.

Tonight, the House is scheduled to vote on the Senate bipartisan agreement.  This weekend, Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans said they oppose the Senate bipartisan agreement, which 39 Senate Republicans voted for, to extend the payroll tax cut protecting 160 million middle income American families from a $1,000 payroll take hike on January 1st.

“If House Republicans block this bipartisan compromise it will be a middle class mugging of $1,000 from 160 million middle income Americans,” said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel. “After 39 Republicans in the Senate voted for this compromise, House Republicans have the chance tonight to stop this $1,000 middle income tax hike from happening on January 1. If they fail, their extreme partisanship will have cost Americans money.”

An example of the automated phone call script running in Representative Bob Gibbs’ (OH-18) district, which was recorded by James Carville, follows:


“Hi, this is James Carville calling on behalf of the DCCC.

“Something remarkable happened this weekend – Democrats and Republicans in the Senate worked together to stop a $1,000 payroll tax hike on 160 million middle class families. 

“Sounds too good to be true?  It is, if Representative Bob Gibbs doesn’t do the right thing and support it.

“Thirty-nine Republicans in the Senate voted for a middle class tax cut compromise, but Representative Gibbs is ready to scrap it and sock the middle class with a tax hike on January 1st. That will cost Americans money when they can least afford it.

“The Tea Party is mugging the middle class with a tax increase because they don't think millionaires and corporations should pay their fair share.   Call (740) 452-2279 and tell Representative Gibbs to stand with us, not the Tea Party, and support the $1,000 payroll tax cut compromise before it’s too late.”

The full list of districts in this campaign include:

  • Elton Gallegly (CA-24)
  • Jerry Lewis (CA-41)
  • Mike Coffman (CO-06)
  • Bill Young (FL-10)
  • Tom Rooney (FL-16)
  • Kevin Yoder (KS-03)
  • Tim Walberg (MI-07)
  • Renee Ellmers (NC-02)
  • Jon Runyan (NJ-03)
  • Michael Grimm (NY-13)
  • Bob Gibbs (OH-18)
  • Mike Kelly (PA-03)
  • Pat Meehan (PA-07)
  • Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
  • Tim Murphy (PA-18)
  • Kristi Noem (SD-AL)
  • Stephen Fincher (TN-08)
  • Joe Barton (TX-06)
  • Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03)
  • David McKinley (WV-01)

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