Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Tax Increase Prevention Act (H.R. 5771):

“This legislation, as is often the case, is far from perfect.  It includes tax credits for the wind power industry, tax credits I oppose.  However, it also contains provisions supportive of our farmers, teachers, and small businesses.  As is the case with all compromises, I try to determine whether the good outweighs the bad.”

“In this bill, I believe the good narrowly outweighs the bad.  For example, I have heard from a number of farmers from the Ninth District of Virginia in support of this tax extender package and the benefits it will provide them.  In voicing their support, the American Farm Bureau Federation said, ‘…the extension of tax provisions contained in this legislation are critically important to farm and ranch businesses as they engage in year-end business planning and file their 2014 taxes.’  One such provision is the Section 179 small business expensing limit, which makes it easier to purchase equipment.”

“Another provision extends the ability for our K-12 school teachers to take an above-the-line deduction for some of the supplies they buy for projects in their classrooms.”

“There are numerous other provisions which will be beneficial for small businesses and job creators.”

“Accordingly, while admittedly having some negatives, I ultimately concluded it was in the overall best interest of the United States and the Ninth District to vote in favor of the bill.”

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