Doggett voted against middle-class tax cuts

[PDittie]

He joined Republicans and Blue Dogs in doing so.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll604.xml

Easier view:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/3/925037/-Open-thread-for-night-owls:-20-Dems-vote-nay

:wtf:

Could someone who is his constituent please get an answer from him as to why?

[northoftheborder]

1. Very surprising.

Doggett used to be my congressman before Delay blew up the district; he is one of the most progressive in the House; he must have had a good reason, and I would like to know what it was. If I find out I will post.

[sonias]

2. WTF?

Really that vote makes no sense for Doggett!

The only thing I can think of is that he won his last race very closely and maybe he got more contacts from the tea party types than his base of constituents - you know the ones that actually got him elected. :(

[Melissa G]

3. My WTF moment of the day!

Your theory sounds likely, but then that is going to be very sad for those of us that elected him. It's not like those other folks are going to vote for him next time either.

[Melissa G]

4. Doggett response

I wrote to Lloyd to ask what was up and here is his response:

Dear Melissa:



While I do not favor raising taxes on middle class families during this economic downturn, I am also concerned with our serious long-term national debt. The recent House vote concerned a proposed tax cut extension, not for a few years, but permanently. And this permanently reduced rate would apply to as much as $250,000 in annual family income—an amount substantially above the median family income in Central Texas. This legislation would add about $2 trillion to our national debt.



Such a permanent reduction of revenue could well undermine our ability to get the debt under control without destroying important public services. During our internal House deliberation on this proposal, I supported an extension for middle-class families during these challenging times, while preserving our ability in the future to determine what should be done with these revenues.



Of course, Republicans propose adding even more debt—about another trillion--by including the top 2% of taxpayers in this permanent extension. Naturally, I also oppose that much more irresponsible approach.



Be assured I will continue to work for fiscally responsible measures to advance our economic security.



Please keep me advised of any federal matters on which I may be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Lloyd Doggett

[sonias]

5. Thanks for contacting him Melissa

I guess there was more in that bill than we knew. I certainly did not now that the proposal called for "permanent" tax cuts.

:thumbsup: