Albany, NY…December 17, 2010– The New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox released the following statement regarding Senator Gillibrand’s decision to vote with the radical left wing of her party against a bill that would prevent the largest tax increase in American history. Out of the 100 Senators, New York’s junior Senator was one of only 19 to vote against a tax bill that had strong bi-partisan support:

“Kirsten Gillibrand proved again this week that she can even make Chuck Schumer scratch his head. In aligning herself with the radical left wing in the Senate, Gillibrand has demonstrated clearly that she is out of touch with the needs of New Yorkers already buckling under the heaviest tax burden in the nation.

What Senator Gillibrand either refuses or fails to comprehend is that the middle class will benefit more than any other group as a result of extending the Bush tax cuts. Not only will the cuts keep more money in the pockets of every American who pays taxes, but they will provide the stability within the tax code that business need to invest in new jobs.

Gillibrand is trying to explain away her vote for higher taxes by sounding like a deficit hawk, but her statements have no credibility given her consistent votes for higher spending. She even voted to give taxpayer money to ACORN and was one of a handful of liberal Democrats to support including the public option in Obamacare.

We do need to lower the deficit. The best ways to do that is to spur the economy and cut spending. Raising taxes doesn’t accomplish either goal.

Senator Gillibrand should know better – but somehow we’re not surprised.”