U.S. Representative John Boehner...
Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act 
December 11, 2011 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the Weekly Republican Address, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) touts the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act, legislation the House will vote on next week that will help to create thousands of new American jobs while helping families struggling with the consequences of President Obama’s failed economic policies.  This jobs bill (H.R. 3630) will extend the payroll tax cut, protect Social Security, reform and extend unemployment insurance, and extend pro-growth tax relief for businesses of all sizes – while also advancing several bipartisan measures that will directly support the creation of private-sector jobs, including the Keystone XL energy pipeline.  Everything in the House bill is offset by spending cuts, rather than through tax increases that would hit small businesses and destroy jobs, as proposed in Senate Democrats’ bill.  The audio of the Weekly Republican Address is available immediately; the video will be available for viewing and downloading after the embargo is lifted. 

          “There’s no more urgent task for Washington than getting our economy back to creating jobs.  Unemployment is still well above eight percent.  Millions of Americans are looking for work or have simply stopped looking altogether.  That’s unacceptable, plain and simple. 

          “Republicans have, as promised, focused all year on our plan to remove government-made barriers to job creation.  In all, 27 bipartisan, House-passed jobs bills are now waiting for a vote in the Democratic-run Senate.  One of those initiatives is the REINS Act, passed just a few days ago.  It would require Congress to review any new regulation that has a major impact on the economy.  

          “Nearly three years ago, President Obama proposed a ‘stimulus’ plan with the promise it would keep unemployment below eight percent.  It didn’t work.  Because his policies aren’t working, the president has asked Congress to pass legislation that would extend unemployment benefits and payroll tax relief for working Americans. 

          “Next week, the House is going to do that.  To help Americans who are struggling in the current economy, we will act on a jobs bill that extends payroll tax relief, extends and reforms unemployment benefits, and cuts government spending.  There will be no tax hikes on America’s job creators.         

          “This bill will also include several bipartisan jobs initiatives, including a provision – which is in the president’s jobs plan as well as ours – to continue a tax incentive that allows employers, small and large, to invest now in new machinery and equipment, grow their businesses, and create jobs.  

          “Another bipartisan provision in this bill supports the job-creating Keystone energy project. 

          “As you may know, the Keystone energy project would create tens of thousands of American jobs and reduce our dependence on oil from the Middle East.  This jobs project has bipartisan support in the House and the Senate.  It’s backed by a broad-based coalition, from small businesses to organized labor.  

          “You’ve heard President Obama say the American people ‘can’t wait’ to take action on jobs.  Well, the Keystone project is the very definition of an idea the American people can’t wait for Washington to take action on.  

          “As a matter of fact, Stephen Harper, the prime minister of Canada, has warned that if the United States doesn’t approve this project, Canada will be forced to move forward with other customers, potentially China.   We can’t stand by and allow that to happen.  Those jobs are too important. 

          “Unfortunately, the president wants to put off a decision on the Keystone project until after next year’s election.  Not only that – he now says he will reject the House’s jobs bill if it includes support for the project.  

          “This is no time for the same-old my-way-or-the-highway theatrics.  It’s no secret that Democrats and Republicans often disagree about the best way to create jobs, but we can’t let those disagreements prevent us from acting when we agree.   There’s bipartisan support for extending payroll tax relief and unemployment benefits.  There’s bipartisan support for tax incentives that allow employers to invest and expand.  And there’s bipartisan support for the Keystone energy project.   We should get these things done. 

          “As the president has said, the American people ‘can’t wait’ for action on jobs.  At a time when they’re still asking the question ‘where are the jobs?,’ the Keystone energy project is a bipartisan proposal the president ought to support.  Next week, the House will act to do the right thing for jobs and economic growth.  We remain ready to work with the president and find common ground, which is what the American people expect and deserve.  

          “Merry Christmas, and thanks for listening.”