Click HERE to listen to Congressman Lucas’ statement provided below:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Frank Lucas today issued the following statement on passage of H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act.

“I am pleased the House passed H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act on Tuesday, which provides permanent tax relief for families, farmers, and small businesses and prevents an enormous tax increase on all Americans.  Specifically, this bill locks in place current tax rates for middle class families, provides a permanent patch for the alternative minimum tax (AMT), and holds down the death tax for farmers and ranchers.  It postpones the sequestration, which would have caused harmful cuts to our national defense during a time when we are still fighting a war in Afghanistan.  Further, this bill provides a one year extension of the 2008 farm bill, which gives agricultural producers certainty and allows the Agriculture Committees in Congress to continue working on a five-year comprehensive farm bill.

“This legislation is only one step in the process of solving Washington’s spending problem.  Now it’s time for the President to work with Congress to address our $16 trillion dollar debt and find responsible, commonsense ways to cut spending and grow our economy.  I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives in this effort and protect hard-working American taxpayers.”

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