On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) voted in favor of H.R. 3630, The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act. This legislation addresses a number of provisions that are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Specifically, this bill includes a fully paid-for extension of the payroll tax holiday, substantial reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) program and a two-year freeze on cuts to doctors providing care to our nation’s seniors and disabled enrolled in Medicare. Additionally, this legislation requires the president to make a decision on the approval the Keystone XL Pipeline within 60 days of enactment.

Representative DesJarlais issued the following statement upon passage of this bill:

“Today I cast my vote in favor of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011. This legislation contains several important measures that will be of significant benefit to my constituents in Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District.

“For starters, this bill will extend the payroll tax holiday for one year for hardworking Americans. The extension of this tax cut will allow my constituents to keep more of their paychecks to invest as they see fit, rather than forfeiting that money over to a federal government that has shown no fiscal restraint when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars on wasteful government programs and policies.

“While today’s legislation extends unemployment benefits, it does so while making significant reforms to the program. Certainly, we are a kind and caring nation. We are a nation that understands that at times people need a little help to get back on their feet. But when individuals simply choose not to work and take advantage of these limited resources, it leaves less for those who actually need this type of assistance. The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act will lower the 99-week cap on benefits to 59 weeks and put in place requirements that will ensure that individuals are actively looking for employment.

“As both a physician and a Member of Congress, I’m committed to preserving and protecting Medicare for our seniors. Unless we prevent the scheduled 27% reduction to the Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians, seniors will have an increasingly difficult time finding quality care. Doctors will simply not be able to afford to treat Medicare beneficiaries if this cut takes place. The GOP Doctors Caucus, which I’m a member of, is committed to reforming the flawed SGR formula, but until we find a permanent fix, we cannot allow these deep cuts to physician reimbursements.

“Finally, this bill will require the president to put politics aside and make a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The president is trying to avoid making a decision on issuing a permit for the pipeline until after the 2012 elections. Americans should not be made to wait a minute longer than necessary for projects that will create badly needed jobs. The construction of the Keystone Pipeline alone could create up to 20,000 American jobs, while reducing our dependency on oil from hostile nations. It is important to note that this legislation will not force the president to approve the pipeline, only to make a decision on whether or not he will allow the project to move forward.

“I hope that Senate Majority Leader Reid will put the American people before politics and allow this legislation to have a fair vote on the Senate floor. These are commonsense, bipartisan proposals that will give the American people a badly needed tax break, reform a government program that is rife with waste and abuse, ensure that seniors continue to have access to quality medical care and create badly needed American jobs.” 

*Please see attached document for additional information on the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act

*This legislation passed the House with bipartisan support: 234-193.