Press Release

February 16, 2012
CARDIN, VAN HOLLEN JOINT STATEMENT ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AGREEMENT

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Both D-MD) released the following statement on the results of the joint conference committee, saying “It’s important to move forward on a payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans, unemployment insurance for people who are out of work through no fault of their own, and support for doctors who serve patients on Medicare.”  Senator Cardin and Congressman Van Hollen added:

“We are pleased that we were able to ensure that this agreement has no negative impact on current federal employees but we still strongly oppose the provision that raises $15 billion to help offset the cost of this package from future workers. Unemployment insurance benefits are paid out during true economic emergencies and should not require offsets. We want this process to move forward. We will not let others find excuses to extend the gridlock. But it is inherently unfair that the primary offset found for extending unemployment insurance came from additional sacrifice from other middle-class families rather than the very wealthiest Americans who can afford to pay more but continue to pay less.”

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