Washington, February 17, 2012 -

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) issued the following statement after voting against HR 3630, the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, which continues the current payroll tax rates through 2012 -- but adds roughly $100 billion to the national debt.

“No matter how you spin it, this bill only accelerates our nation’s walk down the path of financial ruin.  While the legislation has some good components and reforms, the bottom line is that it adds tens of billions of dollars to the debt and deficit, while funding Social Security with more borrowed money.”

“For far too long, Washington has not been forthright with the American people.  As we begin to write the next chapter of this great story of America, the first entry shouldn’t be more deficit spending.  Instead, we should be empowering the American people and starting a chapter of opportunity and prosperity.”