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Congressman Dold on payroll tax extension
Updated: January 30, 2012 9:53AM
On Dec. 21, Congressman Robert Dold, commenting on the payroll tax extension was quoted: “Last week, a bipartisan House majority took action and passed a full one year extension of the payroll tax holiday…” The bill to which Dold was referring to was H.R. 3630, “Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act.” The bill passed the House with 224 Republican votes for and 179 Democratic votes against. Only 10 Democratic House members voted for the bill. Dold’s claim that the bill was passed by a “bipartisan House majority” is just not true. The Senate did pass a tax extension bill with a true bipartisan vote: 89 in favor and just 10 opposed (including Illinois Senator Kirk). Dold has expressed opposition to that bipartisan bill.
Dold has often complained about the partisanship and bickering between the two parties. Unfortunately he contributes to the problem by voting more than 94 percent of the time with the House majority. If he were truly independent as he claims, and more bipartisan, he would not be a Republican Party rubber stamp.
Stuart Kronish, Highland Park
