MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) made the following statement after supporting the amendment to H.R. 3630, the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, introduced by Senate leaders Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) on the floor this morning.

The Senate agreed to the amendment to H.R. 3630 by a vote of 89 to 10, and then passed the bill by unanimous consent.

“I am very pleased that Congress was able to come together and work in a bipartisan effort to extend these provisions for hard-working Americans over this holiday season. This bill will make a real difference for middle-class families and those hit hardest by the economic recession in Hawaii and across the country.

“The two-month extension of the payroll tax holiday will save 160 million middle-class American families from a $1000 increase in their taxes. And the extension of all tiers of the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program means that those looking for a job, but unable to find one will be able to survive – afford rent and put food on the table for their families – this holiday.

“This bill also includes an important patch to temporarily relieve doctors and their patients from the scheduled Medicare reimbursement rate cuts, saving doctors from having to turn away patients with Medicare. Long-term solutions, however, are still needed. I remain firmly committed to finding lasting answers to drive a deeper economic recovery, get Americans back to work, and ensure that beneficiaries have access to the health care services they need.”