02.17.12

Hoeven Statement on Passage of the Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Insurance Extension

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, as well as address a scheduled cut in Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors through 2012:

“Today I voted in support of a measure that will extend the temporary payroll tax cut for working Americans, as well as unemployment insurance for those who are still unable to find work. The same bill will also address the so-called doctor fix to ensure that our seniors continue to have access to quality health care by averting a scheduled reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians.

“The measures we passed today will help many Americans who are working hard in a difficult economy, and they will also help to stimulate our economy by putting more tax dollars in the pockets of American consumers.

“However, we still need to stay focused on controlling our spending and reducing our deficit and debt. Further, these measures are not a substitute for building the kind of legal, tax and regulatory environment that will attract private-sector investment, grow our economy and create the kind of sustainable jobs that millions of unemployed Americans need.