Response to email sent several months ago.
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Dear xxxxx:
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the financial transaction tax proposed by Rep. Peter DeFazio. I share your concerns about the timing of this legislation and the disproportionate impact it could have on New York's economy.
As proposed, the tax would be levied at a rate of 0.25 percent on the sale and purchase of stocks, options, and futures. While I understand and appreciate the frustrations many Americans have with Wall Street, I fear that this legislation has the potential to harm economic recovery efforts by deterring capital investment. I am particularly concerned about the burden a transaction tax would put on the investments of middle-class Americans, such as pension plans, which are already struggling to meet funding requirements, as well as other retirement investments, such as 401(k)s and IRAs. According to the most recent Retirement Confidence Survey, the number of workers who believe they have enough money to retire comfortably is the lowest in over a decade. Congress must take great care not to harm the solvency of retirement plans.
Again, thank your contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can ever be of assistance to you on this, or any other, matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator