February 17, 2012 11:13 PM UTC

Colorado Delegation Spins Payroll Tax Cut Compromise

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• by: Colorado Pols

FOX 31’s Eli Stokols:

Five of Colorado’s seven members of Congress voted for the compromise bill: Democratic Reps. Diana DeGette of Denver, Jared Polis of Boulder and Ed Perlmutter of Golden; and Republican Reps. Scott Tipton of Grand Junction and Mike Coffman of Centennial.

“With our economy rebounding, it is essential we extend tax relief for thousands of hardworking Coloradans and 160 million middle-class Americans,” said Perlmutter in a statement. “I am disappointed the Republicans chose to pay for this tax relief by taxing new federal employees, however it was important to make sure seniors on Medicare have continued access to their doctors and we continue to help those people who are looking for work because they lost their job through no fault of their own.”

Two Republicans, Reps. Cory Gardner of Yuma and Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs voted against it in the House, which passed the bill 293-132.

“I support an extension of the payroll holiday, but it has to be paid for because the money comes out of Social Security,” Gardner said. “The two extensions we voted on last year for 2 and 12 months were both paid for through spending cuts. While this time around the proposal did contain many conservative victories, I ultimately could not support it because it continues deficit spending at the expense of Social Security.”

Statement from Rep. Diana DeGette:

“With almost 13 million Americans still unemployed, it is critical that we continue offering unemployment insurance to those in need.  While I am disappointed some of my colleagues felt the need to offset these benefits with cuts to middle-class federal workers, I cannot in good conscience vote to deny millions of Americans the unemployment insurance keeping them afloat.”

Rep. Jared Polis:

“This bill will keep an additional $1,000 in the pockets of hardworking families, protect health care for our seniors, and extend unemployment insurance for Coloradans still working hard to find a job. It’s unfortunate that obstructionism delayed this needed action but I am pleased that the job is finally done.”

Rep. Scott Tipton (R), eager to take credit:

“Today I voted to extend the payroll tax credit–reducing the size of government and keeping more of hardworking Americans’ paychecks in their pockets rather than in Washington coffers. Economic growth happens when the American people have the opportunity to save and invest more of their hard-earned dollars, rather than forfeiting them to feed big government in Washington.

“American workers and businesses need long-term certainty, as do our seniors and their doctors. While the goal is to find a long-term solution to the problems facing our tax code and Medicare, this bill provides Congress with needed time to work-out the complex issues with the tax code and with the Medicare formula, without disrupting the care our seniors receive, and providing continued relief for businesses and hardworking Americans.

“When it comes to choosing between supporting hardworking American taxpayers and seniors, or sending more money to the federal government, I’m on the side of hardworking Americans and seniors every time.”

Bottom line: two safe-seat Republicans voted no. And two who are not safe voted yes.