Washington, D.C. - Congressman Howard L. Berman made the following statement today after voting against HR 3630, the so-called “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011.”
 
“The tax relief and unemployment insurance in question, for some, may be the difference between putting food on their table, or not,” said Rep. Berman.  “When the American people asked for thoughtful action by Congress to help with their woes, instead they came up empty.”
 
“The piece of legislation before the House today was not a serious proposal to provide relief for the thousands of Valley families that are struggling to make ends meet,” continued Rep. Berman. “The bill was laden with poison pills and controversial provisions that would make it dead on arrival in the Senate, and it is unfair to play politics with the real life struggles facing hardworking people.”
 
Provisions of HR 3630 include, among others, cuts to Medicare and repeal of an EPA rule that would limit toxic mercury emissions. Both measures are controversial and would threaten passage in the Senate.

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