Politics & Government
Partisan Bickering Frustrates Dold
Congressman wants action rather than gamesmanship on payroll tax holiday and extension of long term unemployment benefits.
With time running out for Congress to pass an extension of the payroll tax holiday and long term unemployment benefits to keep millions of Americans from having less money in their pockets after Jan. 1, said he is tiring of partisan bickering.
“There is a lot of gamesmanship going in this political season and there is little doubt why the American people are fed up,” Dold said. “We need to get moving.” Dold does not see it getting better with elections next year.
Dold voted for a which the Senate rejected before passing its own bill Saturday extending benefits for 60 days. Dold flew back to Washington Monday expecting to vote on the Senate version or amend it that night.
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No vote was taken Monday and Dold awaits further decisions from leadership today on the next step while working Americans wonder if more taxes will come out of their paychecks and many of those without work will receive benefits next year.
“In the case of the two-month extension it is too much uncertainty,” Dold said of his objection to the Senate proposal. Dold would rather people know for the next year the amount of their payroll deductions or whether they will receive unemployment payments.
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Dold is also prepared to see the two issues resolved through legislation along with approval of the Keystone oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and assurances fees physicians receive from Medicare will not be reduced.
“I’m going back and will be in Washington until we fix the problem,” Dold said in his Northbrook office Monday.
Dold would like to see the Medicare payment extension last for two years. He also said the pipeline will create 20,000 new jobs and 100,000 ancillary positions in the southern United States.
Labor unions favor the idea while some environmental groups want further study, according to Dold. Regardless, Canada is ready to export the oil.
“Canada said the oil is going,” Dold said. “If we don’t take it China is getting it.” Dold also worries about the environmental impact of the use of the petroleum by China.
