Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz issued the following statement today after Congressional Republicans voted against legislation to extend middle class tax cuts, extend unemployment assistance, and fix the Medicare physician payment rate.

“Today, Speaker Boehner and House Republicans blocked an overwhelmingly bipartisan proposal to extend the payroll tax cut. Because they have caved to the extreme fringe of their party, on January 1^st, 160 million middle-income Americans face an immediate tax increase, and doctors who care for Medicare patients face a 27 percent cut in payments. By opposing this bill, House Republicans turned their backs on middle class families and jeopardized seniors’ access to health care services.

“I agree we need long-term solutions. In fact, I have been leading the bipartisan charge for permanent repeal of the sustainable growth rate formula and a long-term proposal to reform Medicare physician payments. But, Congressional Republicans have refused to work with us on these long-term solutions and now they have blocked a necessary short-term extension. By playing politics instead of doing what is right for the American people, Republicans are putting tax relief and seniors’ health care at enormous risk.”

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