Hensarling Statement on Medical Device Tax Repeal
WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) issued the following statement today in support of H.R. 436, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2012, to repeal the Medical Device Tax, a 2.3 percent tax which will be imposed on the sale of medical devices by manufacturers or importers as a result of the president’s health care law. Today’s vote marks the 30th time that House Republicans have voted to defund, dismantle, or repeal a piece of the law.
“One of the most – if not the most – significant impediment to new job creation is the president’s health care law. At a time when we should be making it easier for job creators to hire more workers, this law is imposing a crippling tax on American manufacturers.
“The Medical Device Tax is a threat to tech manufacturers across the nation – including in the Fifth District of Texas – and only encourages further layoffs, slashed salaries, and more businesses fleeing overseas. A business owner in Jacksonville, Texas, has alerted me that if this new tax gets implemented, then his manufacturing business ‘will suffer severely.’
“Repealing this senseless tax hike is as much a matter of common sense as is blocking the largest tax increase in American history, which will take place in six months from now if the president gets his way. The American people – including President Clinton – know that new taxes on anybody are the last thing this economy needs.
“Today’s bill is a part of the House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators to remove the stifling uncertainty this president has built up with his record spending, record regulations, and record-high tax threats. The longer job creators have to struggle to operate around the president’s failed policies, the longer Americans will have to wait for the jobs and recovery they need.”
###
For additional information, contact:
House Republican Conference Press Office (conferencepress@mail.house.gov)
