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 one of his biggest supporters, Senator Claire McCaskill:

“President Obama and Claire McCaskill have long supported higher taxes, bigger government and increased spending, so their support for yet another massive tax hike on Missouri 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 Claire McCaskill answer one very simple question – how does raising taxes on Missouri small businesses create jobs?”  — Lance Trover, NRSC Spokesman
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-MCCASKILL 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) 

CLAIRE MCCASKILL’S TAX-AND-SPEND RECORD, JUST LIKE OBAMA’S

McCaskill On Republican Tax Cuts: “[F]or All Americans With Incomes Above A Million, We Need To Just Say No.” “‘We should extend the tax cuts for everyone in the middle class. In this economy allowing the lower rate to continue for all Americans on their first million dollars in income makes some sense. But for all Americans with incomes above a million, we need to just say no. It’s time to fight for the middle class and deficit reduction,’ McCaskill said. ‘The Republicans are willing to hold the middle class hostage and add over 300 billion dollars to the deficit all to give millionaires more help. No one in America should take Republicans seriously on the topic of deficit reduction.’” (Senator Claire McCaskill, “McCaskill: Republicans Punish Middle Class To Defend Millionaires,” Press Release, 12/4/10)

McCaskill Voted For Cloture On The Buffett Rule. “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would require taxpayers with more than $2 million in income to pay an alternative minimum of 30 percent in federal taxes, with a phase-in of the higher rate starting at the $1 million level.” (S. 2230, CQ Vote #65: Motion rejected by a vote of 51-45: R 1-44; D 49-1; I 1-0, 4/16/12, McCaskill Voted Yea)