Bnited States Senate WASHINGTON. OC 20510 November29, 2010 “The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate 8.221 Capitol Building Washington, D.C. 20810.0001 Dent Leader Red ‘The nations unemployment level, stuck near 10 percent, is unacceptable to Americans. Senate Republicans hve been urging Congress to make private-sector job creation a priority all year. President ‘Obama in his first speech after the November election said "we owe" it tothe American people 1 “Toeus ‘on those issues that affect thet jobs,” He went on to sty that Americans “want jobs to come back faster” Our constituents have repeatedly asked us to foeus on erating an environment fr private-sector {job prot it is time that our constituents priorities booome the Senate's pros, For that reason, we write to inform you that we will not agree to invoke eloture on the motion to proceed to-ay legislative item unl the Senate has acted o fund the government and we have prevented the tax imerease thats curently awaiting all American taxpayer. With ite tne left inthis Congresional esron, lepsltive scheduling should be Toctsed on these eral priorities, While there ae othe tems that ughtukimately be worthy ofthe Senate's attention, we cannot agree to prioritize any mates above ‘he rita issues of funding the government and preventing a job-kiling tax hike. Given our stgeling economy, preventing the tax increase and providing economic certainty should be ‘ur top priocty. Without Congressional action by December 31 all American taxpayers will be hit by an inereas in thet individual income ax rates and investment income though the capital gains and dividend rates. If Congress were to adopt the Presidents ax proposal to prevent the tas inreake fr only some Americans, small businesses would be targeted witha job-killing tas inerease atthe worst possible time, Spectialy, more than 750,000 small businesses will ee a tax increas, which will affect 50 percent of small-business income and nearly 25 pereentof the entire workforce. The death tx rate wil flso climb from zero pereent to $5 percent, which makes ithe top concern for America's small businesses. Republicans and Democrats agree that small businesses create most new jobs, so We ought 19 bbe able to agree that aising taxes on small businesses isthe wrong remedy in his economy. Finally, Congress stil neds to act on the “tax extenders" and the alternative minimum tax “path,” all of which expired on December 31,2009, We look forard 0 continuing to work with you ina constructive manner to keep the rovernment ‘operating and provide the nations smal businesses with canon certainty hat the joking tx hike willbe prevented ben Bo MMiwite : dy ‘ RORY