Rep. Steve Israel (D., N.Y.) appeared on CNN this afternoon to discuss the discharge petition circulating in the House to force a vote on tax rate extensions for earners under $250,000. Rep. Israel stated that he believes current rates should be extended for some high income individuals, but Congress should pass an extension for everyone under $250,000 right now:
STEVE ISRAEL: What's tougher, I think, is for (Republicans) to go home and have to explain to people who are making $100,000, $200,000 that they're not going to get a tax break, that their taxes are going to go up $2,000 in order to protect the richest 2 percent. Now, look, I personally believe that that $250,000 figure is too low. If you represent a high cost of living area like mine, I think it should be higher. But I'm not willing to go back to Long Island and explain to somebody who is making less than $250,000 that they're going to be held hostage for people making more.
Full interview: