May 08,2012

Press Contact:

Julia Lawless, Antonia Ferrier, 202.224.4515

Hatch on Senate Democrats’ Election Year Student Loan Stunt

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement today after Senate Democrats tried to jam through legislation that would impose massive tax increases on America’s small businesses while raiding the near-bankrupt Medicare program:

“Senate Democrats can’t seem to take yes for an answer – refusing to work with Republicans to protect students from being hit with increased student loan fees to play election-year politics.   Imposing massive tax hikes on small businesses all while raiding the near-bankrupt Medicare program is a terrible idea.  There is a better way and that is using the ObamaCare prevention slush fund that has already passed the House and that the President and his Capitol Hill allies agreed to use to fund a payroll tax extension.  Furthermore, should Congress examine the payroll tax treatment of owners that are also employees of S-Corporations?  Absolutely, but unfortunately Senate Democrats aren’t interested in doing that – opting for a blunt instrument instead of real reform that could bring everyone together.”

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