We’ve been watching developments closely, and today we finally have something concrete although not what we’ve been hoping. While the possibility still remains for a Senate tax extenders bill before the recess, it appears that the House will not move until after the November elections.
Paul Suplizio, President of the WOTC Coalition shared the following correspondence with coalition members last night. It is published here with permission.
Please note that Senate Bill S 3521 mentioned in the correspondence below is the Baucus-Hatch tax extenders bill, known as the Senate’s “Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012.” Also take note of the specific lobbying efforts suggested for reaching out to both Senate and House members.
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September 17, 2012
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has put out to members that the House will adjourn this week and not return until after the election.
Leader Cantor has issued a floor schedule for the week that doesn’t include consideration of a tax extenders bill or the stand-alone WOTC extension, H.R. 2082.
Barring a miracle this week, in November the House will have gone eleven months without drafting an extenders bill, although Ways and Means took extensive testimony.
House leaders also declined to pass WOTC separately on the VOW for Veterans bill, the Agriculture bill, or on Welfare Reform Reauthorization.
Our lobbying situation in the House is we have a sound bill, H.R. 2082, that we should continue to seek co-sponsors for among House Republicans; we have a 50-state lobbying plan targeting key House Republicans and the Leadership; and House Republicans will be back in their districts running for re-election from September 21st till mid-November.
Your representatives are ready to listen. Now is the time for meeting with your congressman personally to press for action on WOTC extension.
In the Senate, we are bending every effort to have S.3521 attached to the Continuing Resolution. Several members have come forward to make key contacts supporting this effort.
Senator Reid isn’t saying how he’ll handle the CR after it is taken up Wednesday afternoon, although he may file cloture.
Senator Reid’s motion to consider S.3521 is still before the Senate and there will still be time for the Senate to pass this bi-partisan bill separately from the CR before adjournment.
PAUL E. SUPLIZIO
President, WOTC Coalition
NO WOTC or Tax Extenders BIll in U.S. House Until After Elections
