The National Republican Senatorial Committee today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s call for higher taxes on job creators, a position that has been echoed by liberal New York Democrat Bob Kerrey:

“President Obama and liberal New York Democrat Bob Kerrey have long supported higher taxes, bigger government and increased spending, so their support for yet another massive tax hike on Nebraska small businesses comes as little surprise.  But in the wake of another weak jobs report, a massive health care bill that increases taxes on the middle class and a growing $15 trillion debt, why can’t Bob Kerrey answer one very simple question – how does raising taxes on Nebraska small businesses create jobs?”  — Jahan Wilcox, NRSC Press Secretary
BACKGROUND … 

FLASHBACK – President Obama: “The Last Thing You Want To Do Is Raise Taxes In The Middle Of A Recession.” (President Obama, Remarks During An Interview With NBC, Elkhart, IN, 8/5/09)

OBAMA-KERREY SOLUTION FOR THE 23 MILLION AMERICANS STRUGGLING TO FIND WORK IS TO RAISE TAXES ON JOB CREATORS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

• Roughly 940,000 small businesses will be hit by a big tax hike. According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), “75 percent of small businesses are organized as pass-through entities meaning they pay taxes on their business income at the individual rate.” The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates the tax hike would hit about 940,000 small businesses (see more here from ABC News). 

• Half of all small business income would face higher taxes. According to Bloomberg News, analysis by JCT also shows President Obama’s plan for massive tax hikes “would mean higher taxes on 53 percent of business income reported on individual returns.”

• More than a quarter of American workers’ jobs are at risk. “According to U.S. Census data,” says NFIB, small businesses “employ more than 25 percent of the total workforce.” Raising taxes on small businesses threatens these jobs – the last thing we need to do in a weak economy. 

Today’s Economy Weaker Than When Obama Extended All Tax Rates

 2010 Economic Growth: 3.1%

Real GDP growth over the four quarters before Dec. 2010 tax rate extension: 3.1% (“Table 1.1.1, Percent Change From Preceding Period In Real Gross Domestic Product,” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, Accessed 7/9/12) 

2012 Economic Growth: 2.0%

Real GDP growth over the previous four quarters: 2.0% (“Table 1.1.1, Percent Change From Preceding Period In Real Gross Domestic Product,” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, Accessed 7/9/12) 

In 2010, Obama Said Tax Increases ‘Would Have Been A Blow To Our Economy’

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “…tax rates for every American were poised to automatically increase on January 1st… would have been a blow to our economy just as we’re climbing out of a devastating recession.” (President Obama, Remarks At Bill Signing, 12/17/10) 

• OBAMA: “If we allow these taxes to go up, the result would be that a lot of people most likely would spend less, and that means that the economy would grow less.” (President Obama, Remarks, Kokomo, IN, 11/23/10) 

• OBAMA: “You don’t raise taxes in a recession.” (“Obama: We Must ‘Help Elkhart Reinvent Itself,’” MSNBC, 8/5/09; Video Here)

BOB KERREY’S TAX-AND-SPEND RECORD, JUST LIKE OBAMA’S 

Kerrey Cast The Deciding Vote In Favor Of President Clinton’s Massive Tax Increases In 1993. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #247: Adopted 50-50: R 0-44; D 50-6, 8/6/93, Kerrey Voted Yea; Helen Dewar, “Nebraskan Criticizes All Involved,” The Washington Post, 8/7/93)

• Kerrey Called It “The Biggest Tax Increase In The History Of The Country.” KERREY: “But, you know, we–you know, Tom, two days later, we vote for the biggest tax increase in the history of the country.” (NBC’S, “Meet The Press,” 1/23/00)

The Clinton White House Lobbied Kerrey Hard On The Vote, Even Joking They Would Rename A Room In The White House After Him If He Voted Yes. “So with only his vote separating victory from defeat, the White House staged a frantic campaign to convince Mr. Kerrey that, yes, a moral consensus could still be achieved. It started with a 90-minute meeting with Mr. Clinton this morning in the White House living quarters. Officials were so solicitous that they moved Mr. Kerrey’s car in a downpour so he would not have to face a pack of reporters waiting for him outside. Dee Dee Myers, the White House press secretary, joked that a room in the White House might be renamed in Mr. Kerrey’s honor if he voted right.” (Richard L. Berke, “Walk Offstage, Holding Fate Of Budget,” The New York Times, 8/7/93)