Republicans are trying to limit any damage John Boehner may have done by agreeing, reluctantly, if given no other choice, to support allowing tax cuts on the rich to expire. But at least one very prominent House member held the exact same view just two months ago — and he’s the GOP’s top policy guy.
In a July 23 Associated Press story, Rep. David Camp (R-MI) acknowledged that he’d have a hard time voting to block a tax cut package that didn’t extend cuts for the wealthy.
“I’ll probably vote for it myself,” said Camp, who serves as ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Camp’s spokesman was not immediately available for comment. But just yesterday, Camp joined other top Republicans by issuing a statement aligning themselves with the goal of extending all the Bush tax cuts.
“The Democrats’ plan to raise taxes on small businesses is bad policy and would only further weaken our economy,” Camp said.
Leader Boehner and I agree that we must do everything possible to stop these job-killing tax hikes. That is why Republicans have come forward with a bipartisan solution to help our economy create jobs – 1) extend current tax rates for the next two years and 2) cut spending back to 2008 levels. This plan can and would pass if the Speaker allows a vote on it and, more importantly, it will provide the certainty employers need to start investing again and creating jobs.
