WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today again joined a vast bi-partisan majority in passing the Tax Cut bill, a measure that extends the current-law tax rates.  The final vote, 81-19, with only 5 Republicans voting against the measure means that the bill will now move to the U.S. House.
 
“We must stop playing politics with the extension of these tax cuts,” Inhofe said.  “Taxpayers deserve better than to have politicians playing games with their wallets.  I could not, in good conscience, vote against a measure of which 94 percent are tax benefits for individuals and employers. The Senate has acted, and now it is up to the House to do the same so that every American isn’t faced with smaller paychecks and higher tax rates.  The tax bill is far from perfect, but not passing the measure would cost thousands of Oklahoma jobs, increase individual income taxes by $4.4 billion, and cost every Oklahoman an average of roughly $2,800.  That is not an option, and I hope the House acts swiftly.”
 
Inhofe concluded, “Now, the Senate should work on the measure that will keep government functioning.  Instead Senate Majority Leader Reid is trying to force his liberal agenda of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, ratification of New START, and who knows what else down our throats on Christmas Eve.”

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