Joe Wilson flip-flops on many measures in his “jobs” plan

Beaufort, SC —  Marine Corps Combat Veteran Rob Miller criticized nine-year incumbent Congressman Joe Wilson’s new television ad and “job creation” plan after Wilson introduced the points on his website this morning.  Wilson omitted the points of his plan from the television ad– possibly because he has opposed five of his ten proposals in Congress.

“Wilson’s campaign ad is full of empty rhetoric.  Joe doesn’t have a record of supporting job creation, and now he is fabricating one.  The truth is, Joe Wilson was against much of his job creation plan, before he was for it,” Miller stated.  ”Under Joe Wilson, we’ve seen unemployment go up 111%* in South Carolina.  As the deciding vote on CAFTA, his ‘job creation plan’ is a day late and more than a dollar short and will do nothing to make up for the years of neglect the district has seen under Wilson’s tenure.  He cannot hide the truth behind a slick ad campaign and some bullet points.”

Last week, Miller began outlining his own job creation plan that would provide tax credits to small businesses that expand their payroll, permanently extend the Research and Development Tax Credit, increase lending to small business, and create “The Carolina Fund” for venture capital.  Additionally, Miller’s proposals include increasing funding for community and technical school job training programs and an active Congressional office staffer to help small businesses cut through red-tape.

Background:

Before He Was For It, Wilson Opposed Increasing The Child Tax Credit

2008: Wilson Opposed Increasing The Child Tax Credit. In answering the South Carolina Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test, Wilson responded he supported maintaining the status of child tax credits. [Project Vote Smart, accessed 6/29/10]

2003: Wilson Voted Against Expanding Child Tax Credit Payments. In 2003, Wilson voted against a motion that, according to Congressional Quarterly Daily Monitor, would “expand payments to low-income parents under the $1,000-per-child tax credit.”  The House rejected the motion by a vote of 201-221. [H.R. 7, Vote #507, 9/17/03; Congressional Quarterly Daily Monitor, 9/17/03]

Before He Was For It, Wilson Opposed Helping Middle Class Families Avoid The AMT

Wilson Voted Against One-Year Fix To Prevent 21 Million Taxpayers From Being Subject To The Alternative Minimum Tax. In 2008, Wilson voted against H.R. 6275, the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation “would provide a one-year adjustment to prevent an additional 21 million taxpayers from paying the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on 2008 income.  It would increase the exemption amounts used in calculating the AMT and extend a provision that allows certain non-refundable credits to be claimed against the tax.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 233-189. [H.R. 6275, Vote #455, 6/25/08; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 455, 6/25/08]

·       Wilson Sided With Wall Street’s Private Equity Firms, Big Oil & Companies Using Tax Shelters Over Middle Class Families On The Alternative Minimum Tax. According to Congressional Quarterly, the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act offset the costs associated with the temporary AMT fix by taxing “the profit-sharing income of private-equity managers at rates for ordinary income, repeal a manufacturing deduction for major oil and gas companies, tighten rules on foreign-owned companies that use tax treaties to reduce their tax burdens and require credit card issuers to report more information to the IRS about purchases at merchants.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 233-189. [H.R. 6275, Vote #455, 6/25/08; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 455, 6/25/08]

Before He Was For It, Wilson Opposed Tax Deductions & Other Tax Benefits For Small Businesses

Wilson Voted Against $3.6 Billion In Tax Incentives For Small Businesses. In 2010, Wilson voted against H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation “would provide $3.6 billion in tax incentives for small businesses by increasing deductions for start-up expenses and eliminating taxation on certain small business stocks.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 247-170. [H.R. 5486, Vote #363, 6/15/10; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 363, 6/15/10]

Wilson Voted Against Exempting Small Businesses From Capital Gains Taxes. In 2010, Wilson voted against H.R. 4849.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation “would provide $6.8 billion in small business tax incentives, including a full exemption from capital gains taxes for small business stock sales and the expansion of a deduction for small-business start-up costs through 2011.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 246-178. [H.R. 4849, Vote #182, 3/24/10; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 182, 3/24/10]

Before He Was For It, Wilson Opposed Tax Credits To Spur Home Buyers Into The Market

Expanding First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit To $8,000. In 2009, Wilson voted against the conference report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation expanded “a number of other individual tax credits, including the first-time homebuyer tax credit to $8,000.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 246-183. [H.R. 1, Vote #70, 2/13/09; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 70, 2/13/09]

2008: Wilson Voted Against Establishing $7,500 Tax Credit For First-Time Homebuyers. In 2008, Wilson voted against H.R. 3221.  According to the New York Times, the legislation “provides some $15 billion in housing-related tax incentives, including a $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers who meet certain income qualifications.” [H.R. 3221, Vote #519, 7/23/08; New York Times, 7/24/08]

Before He Was For It, Wilson Opposed Making Unemployment Benefits Tax Free

Wilson Voted Against Suspending Taxes On The First $2,400 Of Unemployment Benefits Per Recipient. In 2009, Wilson voted against H.R. 1.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation suspended “taxes on the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits per recipient for 2009.” [H.R. 1, Vote #70, 2/13/09; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 70, 2/13/09]

Before He Was For It, Wilson Had A Long History Of Voting Against Extended Unemployment Benefits

2010: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits For 5.3 Million Jobless Workers. In 2010, Wilson voted against a portion of H.R. 4213 that, according to Congressional Quarterly Today, “would extend a raft of expired tax cuts – paying for them by hiking taxes on private equity managers and companies doing business overseas – and extend long-term unemployment funding from the stimulus through Nov. 30.”  According to the Washington Post, the legislation would extend coverage for the “estimated 5.3 million jobless workers who rely on federal emergency unemployment benefits.”  The House passed the portion of the legislation by a vote of 215-204. [H.R. 4213, Vote #324, 5/28/10; Congressional Quarterly Today, 5/28/10; Washington Post, 5/29/10]

2010: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits For 2 Months. In 2010, Wilson voted against legislation that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would extend for two months federal unemployment benefits, flood insurance programs, increased payment rates to Medicare providers and COBRA health care premium assistance.  It would provide for payment to certain previously furloughed transportation workers.  It also would extend for one month certain satellite TV laws and small business lending programs.”  The House voted to concur in the Senate amendment by a vote of 289-112. [H.R. 4851, Vote #211, 4/15/10; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 211, 4/15/10]

2009: Wilson Voted Against Job Creation Plan That Extended Unemployment Benefits. In 2009, Wilson voted against H.R. 2847, the Jobs for Main Street Act.  According to the Boston Globe, the legislation was “a year-end plan to create jobs, mixing about $50 billion for public works projects with another almost $50 billion for cash-strapped state and local governments. […] The measure blends a familiar mix of money for highway, transit, and water projects, and aid to help communities retain teachers and firefighters.  There’s also $41 billion for a six-month extension of more generous unemployment benefits and $12 billion to renew health insurance subsidies.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 217-212. [H.R. 2847, Vote #991, 12/16/09; Boston Globe, 12/17/09]

2009: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits. In 2009, Wilson voted against the conference report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation included “an extension of unemployment” benefits.  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 246-183. [H.R. 1, Vote #70, 2/13/09; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 70, 2/13/09]

2008: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits For An Additional 13 Weeks. In 2008, Wilson against H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation “would extend federal unemployment benefits for individuals who have exhausted their current 26 weeks of compensation.  The bill would provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits, plus another 13 weeks of extended benefits in states with high unemployment rates.  The extended benefit program would expire March 31, 2009.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 274-137. [H.R. 5749, Vote #412, 6/12/08; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 412, 6/12/08]

2008: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits. In 2008, Wilson voted against H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act, when the House considered the bill under suspension of the rules.  The House failed to garner the required two-thirds support for passage of the bill under the rules, and it was rejected by a vote of 279-144. [H.R. 5749, Vote #403, 6/11/08; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 403, 6/11/08]

2008: Wilson Voted Against Temporarily Extending Unemployment Benefits. In 2008, Wilson voted against an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would temporarily extend unemployment insurance benefits.”  The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 256-166. [H.R. 2642, Vote #330, 5/15/08; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 330, 5/15/08]

2004: Wilson Voted Against 13-Week Extension Of Unemployment Benefits. In 2004, Wilson voted against a motion that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would “authorize an extension of the federal program to provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits for people who have exhausted their state jobless benefits.”  The House rejected the motion by a vote of 199-216. [H.R. 444, Vote #224, 6/3/04; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 224, 6/3/04]

2003: Wilson Voted Against Providing Additional 26 Weeks Of Federal Aid To Workers Who Exhausted 26 Weeks Of State Unemployment Benefits. In 2003, Wilson voted against a motion that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would provide an additional 26 weeks of federal aid to workers who have exhausted their 26 weeks of state jobless benefits.”  The House rejected the motion by a vote of 205-222. [H.R. 2185, Vote #222, 5/22/03; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 222, 5/22/03]

2003: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits. In 2003, Wilson voted against a motion that, according to Congressional Quarterly, would provide “direct spending for 26 weeks of income support for unemployed workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits and another 13 weeks of support for workers who have exhausted their federal unemployment benefits.”  The House rejected the motion by a vote of 202-223. [H.R. 1261, Vote #174, 5/8/03; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 174, 5/8/03]

2003: Wilson Voted Against Additional Unemployment Benefits To Laid-Off Airline Workers In The Years Following 9/11. States News Service reported that Wilson voted against a motion “to instruct House members on the supplemental conference committee to accept a Senate provision providing additional unemployment benefits to laid-off airline workers.  Proponents said that laid-off airline workers are struggling financially and need government help.  Opponents argued that airline workers shouldn’t be singled out for special treatment.” [States News Service, 4/11/03]

2003: Wilson Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits. In 2003, Wilson voted against a motion that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would allow a total of up to 26 weeks in federal aid for laid-off workers who’ve exhausted their state unemployment benefits.”  The House rejected the motion by a vote of 202-224. [S. 23, Vote #6, 1/8/03; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 6, 1/8/03]

Before He Was For It, Wilson Had A Long Record Of Opposing Student Loan Reform

Wilson Voted Against The Student Aid & Fiscal Responsibility Act, Legislation Saving $80 Billion By Eliminating Federally-Subsidized Private Loans. In 2009, Wilson voted against H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.  According to the Boston Globe, the legislation would eliminate federally-subsidized private loans.  Instead, the federal government would “provide all new federal college loans directly and end guarantees and subsidies to lenders such as Sallie Mae. […] The bill is intended to protect student loans from turmoil in financial markets and end federal payments that Obama says are wasteful.  It would save the government $80 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.  Most of the savings would be directed into higher-education programs such as Pell Grants.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 253-171. [H.R. 3221, Vote #719, 9/17/09; Boston Globe, 9/18/09]

Wilson Voted Against $3.5 Million For Tuition Reimbursement Program. In 2009, Wilson voted against legislation that would appropriate $3.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2010 for legislative branch operations, excluding Senate operations.  Among its provisions, the legislation would provide $3.5 million for a tuition reimbursement program.  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 232-178.  [H.R. 2918, Vote #413, 6/19/09; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 413, 6/19/09]

Wilson Voted Against Redirecting Subsidies To Student Loan Firms Directly To Students & Capping Student Loan Repayments At 15% Of Discretionary Income. In 2007, Wilson voted against adoption of the conference report on H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation “would cut government subsidies to student loan firms by about $20 billion and redirect most of the money to aid for students and college graduates.  It would also include $750 million in federal budget deficit reduction. […] The bill also would cap student loan repayments at 15 percent of discretionary income.”  The House voted to adopt the conference report by a vote of 292-97. [H.R. 2669, Vote #864, 9/7/07; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 864, 9/7/07]

Wilson Voted Against Raising The Aggregate Limit For Federally Backed College Loans. In 2007, Wilson voted against the house version of H.R. 2669.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would “raise the aggregate limit for federally backed loans to $30,500 for undergraduate and $65,000 for graduate students.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 273-149. [H.R. 2669, Vote #613, 7/11/07; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 613, 7/11/07]

Wilson Voted Against Cutting Interest Rates In Half On Student Loans. In 2007, Wilson voted against H.R. 5.  According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation “would cut interest rates in half over a five-year period for undergraduates with subsidized student loans, beginning July 1, 2007.  Additional cuts would become effective on July 1 each year for the next four years.  It would reduce the ‘special allowance payment’ made to lenders, lower the amount the government pays to lenders for defaulted loans, increase the one-time origination fee paid by lenders to the government on all loans, cut the fee paid to guaranty agencies that collect on loans and enlarge the annual fee paid by lenders on consolidation loans.”  The House passed the legislation by a vote of 356-71. [H.R. 5, Vote #32, 1/17/07; CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 32, 1/17/07]

* Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=LASST45000003  accessed, June 29, 2010.  (December 2001 unemployment 5.9%, current unemployment 11%)

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