Murkowski Votes for Amendment that Cuts Taxes, Reduces Federal Deficit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today voted in favor of a Republican amendment to a broad tax-and-benefits proposal that would also cut federal spending and reduce the deficit.
"In states from Alaska to Maine, families are tightening their belts and cutting back on excess spending, and they are frustrated by what they see as government's refusal to do the same with taxpayer money. The latest Democratic tax-and-benefits proposal would still add $55 billion to the debt, down from the $134 billion deficit-busting package they unveiled last month.
"The Republican alternative that unfortunately failed to pass the Senate today would fully pay for extending important tax provisions and unemployment insurance benefits without raising the deficit, in part by using unspent money from the Democrats' failed stimulus bill. Instead of throwing good money after bad, we should be redirecting unspent stimulus funds to pay for extending the economy-boosting tax provisions or putting this money towards deficit reduction. Our national debt already tops a record $13 trillion. For anyone even remotely attuned to the American people's concern and anger over the exploding debt and wasteful spending, today's vote should have been an easy one."
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