Congressman Hurt explains vote supporting payroll tax extension

By: Aaron Martin | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: February 21, 2012

ROANOKE, VA --

The payroll tax extension debate that has plagued Washington appears to be over, after Republicans dropped their demand that the extension be funded with matching spending cuts last week.

5th District Representative Robert Hurt (R-Chatham) is one of those Republicans who voted in favor of the one year extension.

"Allowing people to keep more of what they make, especially at this time, is very important,” Rep. Hurt said. “That doesn't mean by any stretch at all that we shouldn't be working to balance our budget as soon as possible."

The extension will add $100 billion to the deficit. Hurt said it was difficult to make the vote without equal spending cuts.

Several of Hurt’s Republican colleagues from Southwst Virginia, including Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke Co.), as well as Democratic Senator Mark Warner, voted against the extension.

“In Washington D.C., people believe that allowing people to keep more of what they make costs Washington D.C. I don't subscribe to that philosophy," Hurt said.

The 5th District Congressman added that he will continue fighting to cut the deficit by spending cuts.

While serving in the Virginia General Assembly, Hurt was known for breaking away from the Republican majority on certain issues, like his support for then Governor Mark Warner's $4 billion tax increase. Hurt defended the move when 10 On Your Side's Jay Warren interviewed the congressman in October 2010.

“We were looking at shutting the government down, sending troopers home, sending teachers home, the whole thing,” Hurt said during the 2010 interview. “I felt at that time, we needed to adopt some place in the middle so that we could get a balanced budget.”

On Tuesday, Hurt insisted that getting a balanced budget is one of his top priorities in the House of Representatives. Most people aren't expecting much from Congress since it's an election year, but Hurt thinks his colleagues could surprise.

"I believe that we can find common ground on energy. I believe that we can find common ground on cutting spending, (and regulations),” Hurt said. “Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all agree we need to balance our budget."

Hurt also touched on the presidential election. He repeatedly refused to throw his support behind one candidate, but called this the most important election of his lifetime.