A statement from Sen. Ben Nelson (D., Neb.):

September 9, 2010 – Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson issued this statement today concerning a series of tax cuts enacted during the previous administration that are set to expire at the end of 2010. Senator Nelson cast a deciding vote in favor of those tax cuts.
“I support extending all of the expiring tax cuts until Nebraska’s and the nation’s economy is in better shape, and perhaps longer, because raising taxes in a weak economy could impair recovery.
“Continuing all of the tax cuts could provide certainty for families and businesses in Nebraska and nationwide. Today, many businesses are sitting on cash because of uncertainty, which is holding back economic development across America.
“Just like the stimulus package in 2009, it is imperative that we take actions to help the economy. I hate deficit spending, but some matters are so urgent that they can’t wait. Such was the case with the stimulus package, which contained more than $300 billion in tax relief, and I believe the same holds true about the expiring Bush era tax cuts.
“That said, I’d like to see these tax cuts paid for as much as possible. We need to focus on reducing government spending and finding offsets, where we can, because that’s the fiscally responsible thing to do.
“The federal deficit’s real and Nebraskans tell me that while we need to revitalize our economy now, we must minimize adding to the deficit because it will drag our economy down and burden our children’s future.”