News release from Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-3rd, R):
Stutzman: “President Obama is Counting on Tax Hikes to Fix the Problem He Caused”
Washington, D.C. (February 19, 2013) – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman responded to President Obama’s speech this morning where he called for tax increases to offset the sequester his own Administration proposed:
“President Obama proposed an automatic cut, or sequester, of nearly half a trillion dollars to the Defense Department. Now he’s campaigning against his own proposal, relying on fear instead of facts. Rather than working with Congress to responsibly replace defense cuts with matching cuts to wasteful spending, President Obama is calling for yet another oppressive tax increase.
“House Republicans have passed legislation twice to avoid gutting defense and instead cut real government waste. Instead of working in good faith, President Obama is counting on tax hikes to fix the problem he caused and in the process will punish middle class families and small businesses. With less than 10 days left, President Obama should get serious about our nation’s $16 trillion debt by cutting spending responsibly.”
Background:
- According to Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward, the idea for the sequester was born in the White House and first suggested by President Obama’s Chief of Staff (then Director of Office of Management and Budget) Jack Lew.
- The sequester was included in the final version of the Budget Control Act of 2011 which passed despite Congressman Stutzman’s opposition by a 269-161 vote and was signed by the President.
- House Republicans passed H.R. 5652, and Congressman Stutzman voted for, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act, on May 10, 2012. The bill would replace the President’s sequester with common-sense reforms that reduce spending.
- House Republicans passed H.R. 6684, and Congressman Stutzman voted for, the Spending Reduction Act, on December 20, 2012. The legislation adopts common-sense reforms that eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending programs.
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