Pascrell, Garrett find a ‘no’ vote they agree on
“I am looking forward to a complete and thorough reform of our tax code in the new Congress. America sent a very clear message in November. We desperately need tax reform that promotes fairness for everyone, not just carve-outs for a well-connected few. Unfortunately, though I support some of the measures included in today’s legislation, this bill is far outweighed by special interest tax giveaways, and I cannot support it.” Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ)
DECEMBER 7, 2014, 11:19 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014, 11:20 PM
BY HERB JACKSON
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. bucked his party last week and joined only 19 other Democrats in opposing the extension of dozens of expired tax breaks, including some he had said a day earlier were important to New Jersey residents.
Rep. Scott Garrett, a Republican with a much longer history of breaking with his party, joined him in the “no” column as one of only 26 Republicans against the tax package.
It’s an understatement to say that Garrett, of Wantage, and Pascrell, of Paterson, do not usually agree. Data compiled at opencongress.org show that the veteran North Jersey representatives voted the opposite way on three out of every four votes during the past two years, and even on this bill, they voted the same way for different reasons.
The vote could also be a sign that Pascrell, who is finishing his ninth term in the House, is starting to act out against his party’s leadership.
After Republicans won their biggest House majority since World War II last month, Pascrell was harshly critical of Democratic strategy, arguing that his party’s candidates were too timid about discussing improvements in the economy.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/jackson-pascrell-garrett-find-a-no-vote-they-agree-on-1.1148270
