Washington, D.C. – Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) voted to protect Social Security from a payroll tax holiday extension that would weaken the program’s fiscal foundation.  Rep. Noem joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle in opposing the payroll tax holiday extension due to the further strain on the Social Security system it would create.  The payroll tax, which was first created as part of the Social Security Act of 1935, funds the safety net seniors have come to rely on.  The payroll tax holiday extension considered on the House floor today would transfer borrowed revenues from the General Treasury to cover the lost revenue for the Social Security Trust Fund.

“I cast my vote today for South Dakota seniors as well as our children and grandchildren.  I am not opposed to the idea of extending the short-term payroll tax holiday and putting more money back in to the pockets of South Dakota families, but we should do it in a manner that neither jeopardizes the Social Security program that our seniors depend upon nor borrows money from future generations,” said Noem.

Last year, Rep. Noem voted to extend the payroll tax holiday without jeopardizing Social Security because the legislation also included corresponding spending cuts.  The bill considered today did not include those spending cuts.  Today’s bill also included a number of other reforms to unemployment benefits and other programs that Rep. Noem would have supported individually.

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