Rep. Fattah Snubs CBC, Supports President Obama's Tax Cut Plan

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12/13/10

In a surprising break with the Congressional Black Caucus, Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) released a statement in support of President Barack Obama’s controversial tax cut plan.

The move comes only days after CBC Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) led a press conference announcing that the “overwhelming majority” of the 41-member caucus rejected the Obama tax plan “as it is,” which included an extension of Bush era tax cuts in exchange for a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits and a decrease in the payroll tax.


from Congressman Fattah's website:

“There are 73,000 unemployed Philadelphians whose jobless benefits are expiring. Our city’s unemployment rate was 11.2 percent in September, more than a point above the national rate. Almost one in every four residents of the Second Congressional District lives in poverty. Families out of work through no fault of their own are fearing foreclosure on their homes.

“These Philadelphians need help, here and now. They are waiting for us to act. They cannot wait for the ‘perfect’ solution from an imperfect and divided Washington. President Obama’s proposal to maintain unemployment benefits through 2011 and the soon-to-expire tax cuts though 2012 will provide that help.

“As Chairman of the Congressional Urban Caucus I have worked closely with our nation’s mayors on issues from poverty to infrastructure to energy efficiency. An impressive list of mayors from coast to coast, including my hometown’s Michael Nutter, New York’s Michael Bloomberg and Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles have strongly endorsed the President’s plan as critical to the issues facing our metropolitan areas.

“The President acknowledges there is something in this compromise for almost everyone to disagree with. In fact I expect to be working with my House colleagues to alter the provisions of the estate tax portion of the compromise plan to make it more equitable. More importantly, however, there is plenty -- $238 billion worth of tax relief, basic benefits and job creation for the middle class, working families and the poor, as well as a two-year extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college students that I authored – to help almost every struggling family in these hard times.

“I have consistently opposed extending the tax cuts for the top 2% and still believe that is not the right choice. The reality of the legislative process, and my commitment to working families, compels me to support the framework of this proposal in spite of its imperfections.

“We need a long term solution to our nation’s debt, which is why I will reintroduce the Debt Free America Act in January. But the issue before us is a short term solution to family budgets, and the President’s plan provides that relief. I will work during the coming weeks in Washington for its enactment.”


article: http://politic365.com/2010/12/13/fattah-snubs-cbc-supports-white-house-tax-cut-plan/

statement: http://fattah.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=34§iontree=32,34&itemid=782

[Better Believe It]

1. Congressman Chaka Fattah has nothing negative to say about the tax deal attack on Social Security

Perhaps he doesn't think the cut in the Social Security payroll tax is much of an "imperfection" or threat to Social Security. Of course, he won't be dependent on Social Security when he retires.

Congressman Fattah will certainly be banging the drums for deficit cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on the backs of working people, the sick and the elderly next year.

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2. no one there has to worry about retirement

. . . silly to peg Fattah with that. I don't know his pov on SS but he has a good record on fighting for the working-class and working poor in his district. I wouldn't automatically assume you care more about that issue than he does.


Income and Poverty
Summary of Issues
Congressman's Position: http://fattah.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91§iontree=4,73,79,91

. . . on searching, he has a solid record on SS. Among other votes and expressions of support, he signed Sen. Sander's Social Security resolution petition.

[Better Believe It]

3. And tell me how does Congressman Fattah feel about the cut in the Social Security payroll tax?

As someone who has a good record of fighting for the working class and the elderly surely he must have stated his opinion on this direct attack on Social Security.

I couldn't find anything regarding this on his website.

Perhaps you can find something.

I'm listening.

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5. he did vote against a reduction in the tax on SS in 2000

The absence of a statement from him about the payroll tax cut may mean that he's not buying the narrative that it's some attack on Social Security. If he did feel that way, and allowed the package to advance with his vote, he'd be contradicting many statements he's made over the years about preserving the system. I would say that it appears he doesn't agree with you.

[CreekDog]

4. I've always liked Fattah even though I'm skeptical of the tax plan

CBC is a caucus not a blood oath.

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6. lots of views under their banner

I'd expect defections . . . others might not.

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7. kick

[BumRushDaShow]

8. This is my Congressman

and I agree with his reasoning. The support for throwing the unemployed and lowest tax brackets under the bus suddenly claiming deficits is something that is breathtakingly stunning for those one DU who claim to be "for the poor". The fact that the Senate won't budge is completely lost on them.