Dems Divided On Surtax On The Rich

Senate Democrats and Michael Moore

In 2009 Democrats Warned That A Similar Surtax Would ‘Negatively Affect Small Businesses,’ Said It Would Be ‘A Very Tough Sell’ In The Senate

DEMS: Tax Hikes Will ‘Stifle The Recovery’SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (ID-CT): “I wouldn't do anything to raise taxes in the foreseeable future because that'll stifle the recovery.” (Sean Hannity Radio Show, 9/20/11)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “No, no, no. … This is a time to be cutting. The cutting stops when the taxes increase.” “Sen. Ben Nelson (D), who faces a tough election in conservative Nebraska, said he would vote against a motion to begin floor debate on Obama’s bill. ‘No, no, no,’ Nelson said, when asked if he would roll the dice by allowing the bill to come to the Senate floor in hopes of amending it. ‘With the current offsets that are essentially tax increases? No. ‘This is a time to be cutting. The cutting stops when the taxes increase,’ he said.” (“Senate Democrats Buck Obama On Jobs By Changing 'Pay-Fors,’” The Hill, 10/4/11)

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “The general rule of thumb is that you do not raise taxes or cut spending during an economic downturn. That would be counterproductive.” (“Democrats Unlikely To Repeal Tax Cuts For The Rich,” McClatchy, 9/1/10)

SEN. KAY HAGAN (D-NC): “…said she would prefer raising new revenues through comprehensive tax reform instead of zeroing in immediately on specific tax increases. ‘I think we’ve got to have comprehensive tax reform.’” (“Senate Democrats Buck Obama On Jobs By Changing 'Pay-Fors,’” The Hill, 10/4/11)

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): “I wouldn't raise any taxes.” (“Another Democrat Says Extend All Bush Tax Cuts,” Fox News, 9/15/10)

SEN. JIM WEBB (D-VA): “‘Terrible,’ Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) told POLITICO when asked about the president’s ideas for how to pay for the $450 billion price tag. ‘We shouldn’t increase taxes on ordinary income. … There are other ways to get there.’” (“Hill Dems Pick Apart Obama Jobs Plan,” Politico, 9/14/11)

DEMS: Surtax ‘Will Negatively Affect Small Businesses… Discourage Entrepre­neurial Activity And Job Growth’’09 LETTER FROM 22 DEMOCRATS: “Especially in a recession, we need to make sure not to kill the goose that will lay the golden eggs of our recovery. By concentrating the cost of health care reform in one area, and in one that will negatively affect small businesses, we are concerned that this will discourage entrepre­neurial activity and job growth.” (Rep. Polis And Freshman House Democrats, Letter To Speaker Pelosi, 7/16/09)

“This proposed surcharge will also have a direct negative impact on manufacturers, another industry essential for our recovery. As manufacturers are capital intensive businesses, their taxable income is often higher… Manufacturing machinery can cost over $1 million and many owners have to save for years to expand and buy new equipment. Yet those profits saved each year would be hit by this proposed surcharge, which could lead to reduced investment.” (Rep. Polis And Freshman House Democrats, Letter To Speaker Pelosi, 7/16/09)

“… a surcharge would tax income above $1 million at a new rate of 45 percent. Combined with state taxes, many successful small businesses -- the very kind of business that should lead in creating new jobs and help us emerge from this recession -- will be taxed at over 50 percent.” (Rep. Polis And Freshman House Democrats, Letter To Speaker Pelosi, 7/16/09)

Senate Dems Called ’09 Surtax ‘A Very Tough Sell’SEN. RON WYDEN (D-OR): “Not heard much support.” “Still, the idea has been criticized by some Democrats. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Tuesday that he has ‘not heard much support’ from his colleagues.” (“House Dems' Health Bill Would Tax Rich,” USA Today, 7/15/09)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “Tax is a four-letter word.” “‘Tax is a four-letter word’ with voters, said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). Even families not ranking in the top 1 percent of earners ‘hope they're going to be there someday,’ he said. ‘So they don't necessarily think it's fair.’” (“Health-Care Plan Would Add Surtax On Wealthy,” The Washington Post, 7/15/09)

“Senator Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, said he’s ‘not hearing a lot’ of support for a surtax on wealthy Americans. People in his state don’t like the so-called millionaire’s tax ‘because they are looking someday to get there themselves,’ Nelson said. ‘It’s the American way.’” (“House Health Plan Seeks 5.4 Percent Millionaire Tax,” Bloomberg, 7/14/09)

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “A very tough sell.” “… Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), who is promoting a tax on the most generous 1 percent of private plans, conceded yesterday that such a proposal is ‘a very tough sell.’” (“Health-Care Plan Would Add Surtax On Wealthy,” The Washington Post, 7/15/09)

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