Press Releases

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Votes “No” on House Farm Bill Because of a Tax Increase on More Than 101,100 Maryland Workers

Washington, Jul 27, 2007 - 

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett said, “The Farm Bill is a good bill, but it has one fatal flaw inserted at the last moment by the Democratic leadership. Regretfully I could not support it because it contains a tax hike on more than 101,100 Maryland workers. Hopefully, when it comes back from the Senate it will shed this harmful tax against our country’s beleaguered manufacturing workers.”

“This is a tax increase, not a loophole,” said Congressman Bartlett. “Unfortunately, loophole has become a Democratic code word for more new taxes. This is not a tax break for foreign companies. This is a tax on American workers. We cannot afford to drive these good manufacturing jobs off shore.”

NOTE: The State of Maryland could lose more than 101,100 jobs – almost 5% of the private-sector workforce - if Democrats succeed in raising taxes on international companies that “insource” jobs to the U.S., according to data compiled by the Organization of International Investment. Sixth District workers at companies like Breyer’s and Mack Truck in Hagerstown and BP Solar in Frederick would be affected. Across the nation, these foreign-owned subsidiaries account for over 5 million jobs supporting $324.5 billion in payroll. A list of employers in the United States likely to be impacted can be found at: http://www.ofii.org/insourcing-stats.htm#statejobs.