Mazie Hirono issued a statement Wednesday (Aug. 1) following the U.S. House of Representatives vote to extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts, even for the wealthiest.

Excerpt:

Linda Lingle supports her Republican leadership on a plan that reduces tax credits for working families and students to help them afford a college education, and reduces tax credits for families struggling to cope with raising children on modest incomes who are currently helped by the child tax and earned income tax credit. It is time for Linda to finally stand up to the national Republican Party and side with Hawaii’s middle class for a change.

Linda Lingle must finally explain to the people of Hawaii how she can support continuing to give special tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans while forcing middle class families to make up the difference. …

Asked for a response, Lingle Senate campaign chair Bob Lee sent us a statement. Excerpts:

While it is easier for Hirono to hide behind the curtain of national Democrat talking points, than it is to dig into the details of the hotly debated discussion of extending the Bush-era tax cuts, her ignorance is far from bliss for Hawaii taxpayers.  

What Hirono conveniently ignores is that by not extending these tax cuts, she has voted for the largest tax hike in American history (Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce). And, while she is quick to call this a ‘tax break for the wealthiest Americans’, she ignores the fact that 90% of Americans earning $30,000 annually — which includes the working families, single parents and young workers that Hirono purports to defend — will see their taxes go up. The non-partisan organization, Tax Policy Center, estimates the average tax increase would be $3,700 each year. Why is Mazie Hirono fighting so vehemently to raise taxes on working families? Because she is putting politics ahead of the people of Hawaii. …