WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., in the party's weekly radio and Internet address, said too much time has been wasted debating the Democrats' plan to raise taxes.
The Republican congressman Saturday called for an end to bickering over tax increases and a conclusive vote, The Hill newspaper reported.
"Raising taxes on anyone in a struggling economy -- especially small businesses -- is the exact wrong thing to do," Walden said, adding he had operated a small business for 22 years.
Walden called on Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi of California to hold a "full up-or-down vote" on the Republicans' fiscal proposals.
"Anything less fails our economy and provides further evidence that Democrats are more committed to preserving their power than helping our economy," he said.
Earlier in the day, President Barack Obama said in his weekly address Republicans are opposing reform with a goal of being "rewarded with a flood of negative ads against their opponents."
