American Action Network pressures House on tax vote

— -- The American Action Network, a conservative non-profit advocacy group, will unveil a Web campaign Monday urging House members to vote against a bill that would extend some current tax rates into the next year, but effectively allow rates on those earning more than $250,000 per year to increase.

Playing off an Olympics theme, a new video argues that since many small business owners file taxes through their individual income tax returns, increasing the rate on those earning more than a quarter million dollars annually would make U.S. businesses less competitive with other nations with lower rates.

The group is accompanying the video with a limited digital ad buy and a petition among its members.

"Already hamstrung from this weak economic recovery, American small businesses can't afford another hurdle like this massive tax hike and still compete for the 'gold," said American Action Network spokesman Dan Conston. "Congress has a choice this week: they can either stand with American small businesses or allow our competitors to take the lead."

The Senate approved a measure last Wednesday to extend tax rates established under former President George W. Bush, but only for income earners under $250,000. The House is expected to vote on the bill this week and will also vote to extend current income tax rates for every income level, setting the stage for another election-year battle between Democrats and Republicans over whether taxes will increase in 2013.