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Happy Holidays, House Republicans Set to Cause Tax Hikes and Flying the POW/MIA Flag at Lucas Oil Stadium -- December 23, 2011

January 3, 2012

Dear Friend,

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. For additional information, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.

In this week's Carson Courier:

  • Holiday Greetings From Congressman Carson
  • House Republicans Set to Cause Tax Hike for 160 Million Americans
  • The Importance of Flying the POW/MIA Flag at Lucas Oil Stadium

Happy Holidays!

Mariama, Salimah, and I wish you and your family happy holidays and a blessed New Year. May the love of family and friends, the blessing of good health, and the joy of living be with you each day of the New Year. In 2012, I hope we all renew our efforts, large and small, to care for and support one another.

House Republicans Set to Cause Tax Hike for 160 Million Americans

Last weekend, my colleagues in the Senate - Democrats and Republicans alike - voted overwhelmingly (89-11) in support of a short-term package that would extend the current payroll tax cut, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, and Medicare physician reimbursement rates.

Despite this broad bipartisan support, Speaker Boehner failed to build consensus amongst his Republican colleagues, and 160 million Americans are now facing the possibility of a holiday season tax hike. House Republicans' irresponsible refusal to compromise will result in a $1000 tax increase for millions of Americans struggling to afford the cost of their mortgages or rent, groceries, fuel, and utilities. I am outraged by House Republicans' willingness to cut this vital lifeline.

I am confident that we can reach a long-term, bipartisan agreement when we return to Congress next year. But it is critical that do not allow the American people to be hurt by our inability to complete negotiations quickly. We need an extension that will protect the tax cuts and benefits that they rely on while we work on a deal.

Republican Senator Scott Brown, expressing his deep frustration with House Republicans, said it best: "It angers me that [they] would rather continue playing politics than find solutions. Their actions will hurt American families and be detrimental to our fragile economy. We are Americans first; now is not the time for drawing lines in the sand."

The Importance of Flying the POW/MIA Flag at Lucas Oil Stadium

Earlier this month, I joined with other members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation to request that Lucas Oil Stadium begin flying the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag. Originally designed following the Vietnam War, the POW/MIA flag is the official symbol of our unceasing commitment to the brave men and women who have yet to come home from our wars around the world. It is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

I am proud to report that they honored our request, and this important symbol now flies at Lucas Oil Stadium. The flag was first displayed the week of November 28th just in time for the Big Ten Championship Football game and will fly during the 2012 Super Bowl. I am grateful to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium for joining us in keeping alive the memory of our POW/MIAs.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson and follow me on Twitter @RepAndreCarson. I value your views and your input, which help me better represent the people of Indiana's 7th District.