Top House Republicans told President Obama Tuesday that tax hikes are a non-starter in any debate about reducing deficits and debt in the future. And they’re claiming their refusal to entertain any new revenues is the mark of fiscal responsibility.
“[I]f the President begins the discussion by saying we must increase taxes on the American people — as his budget does — my response will be clear: tax increases are unacceptable and are a nonstarter,” said House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) in a statement.
The GOP budget achieves deficit reduction largely by privatizing Medicare and turning it into a voucher program, while slashing Medicaid costs — but they offset these savings to a large degree by pairing them with dramatic tax cuts. Democrats are poised to propose a mix of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthy to reduce deficits in the medium to long term.
Other top Republicans share Boehner’s view.
“He believes we ought to raise taxes to get this economy going and I don’t,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor told reporters in his weekly briefing Tuesday.
Sitting at his side was Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), who added, “I wouldn’t cede the center to tax increases I think the center of this country is that they don’t want any tax increases.”
Multiple reports suggest Obama will call for raising taxes on wealthy Americans in his Wednesday speech. Looks like Republicans aren’t even gonna bother negotiating on that turf.
