12.22.11

Hoeven Statement on the Need to Move Forward on the Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Insurance, Keystone XL

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement on the need to move forward with legislation that would extend the payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance, as well as expedite a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline: 

“Like most Americans I believe Congress needs to do the people’s work and pass legislation to extend both the temporary payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, as well as expedite a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline project. That is why I voted for the House measure that passed those provisions for the fiscal year, and also for the compromise tax package that most Senate Republicans and Democrats voted for last weekend. In fact, the Keystone XL bill is legislation that I introduced because it will create thousands of jobs for our citizens.

 “The important thing is that we work together and get the legislation done. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, with whom I spoke this morning, has proposed a commonsense way to do just that. The House of Representatives should pass the temporary extension approved by the U.S. Senate last weekend, and also the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid should convene a conference committee to work toward a solution that produces a longer-term extension. This is a sensible path forward for the American people.”