In New Mexico, where liberal Congressman Martin Heinrich is more liberal than the President of the United States, the National Republican Senatorial Committee today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s call for higher taxes on job creators:

“In Washington, Martin Heinrich has led the far-left’s cry for higher taxes and more government spending which has made him more liberal than President Obama.  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 Martin Heinrich answer one very simple question – how does raising taxes on New Mexico 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)

MARTIN HEINRICH’S TAX-AND-SPEND RECORD IS MORE LIBERAL THAN BARACK OBAMA’S

Heinrich Voted Against The Tax Cut Compromise. “Levin, D-Mich., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill that would extend the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts for all taxpayers for two years and revive the lapsed estate tax, setting the tax rate at 35 percent on estates worth more than $5 million for 2011 and 2012. It also would extend unemployment insurance benefits for 13 months and cut the employee portion of the Social Security tax by 2 percentage points.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #647: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president, by a vote of 277-148: R 138-36; D 139-112, 12/17/10, Heinrich Voted Nay)

Heinrich “Strongly Denounced” The Tax Cut Compromise. “Among all members of the delegation, Rep. Martin Heinrich most strongly denounced the tax deal. ‘From what I’ve seen so far, I’m not inclined to support it,’ Heinrich said in a Journal interview. ‘There is a difference between compromise and extortion, and I’m having a real hard time swallowing the fact that congressional Republican leaders are holding up so many things there are broad support for just for these tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Frankly, we can’t afford them.’” (Michael Coleman, “Most of N.M. Delegation Cool To Deal,” Albuquerque Journal, 12/8/10)

Heinrich Did Not Support Extending Tax Cuts For All Americans And Said, “We Can’t Pay Down The Bush Administration’s Debt And Fund Critical Programs Like Medicare And Social Security If We’re Writing Checks For $900 Billion To The Richest Americans . . . .”  “Rep. Heinrich has consistently advocated for securing the future of the middle class and ignoring the temptation to pile on to the deficit as the right thing to do. Rep. Heinrich supports extending middle-class tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year, and opposing Republicans demands to extend tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Rep. Heinrich said last week in a statement, ‘We can’t pay down the Bush administration’s debt and fund critical programs like Medicare and Social Security if we’re writing checks for $900 billion to the richest Americans like Donald Trump and Tiger Woods. Anybody who’s ever balanced a family checkbook can see through the Republicans’ wild claims.’” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich To White House: ‘Don’t Back Down,’” Press Release, 12/8/10)

• Heinrich Opposed Extending Tax Cuts For Those Making Over $250,000. “However, Heinrich said he opposes extending income tax cuts enacted by former President George W. Bush for Americans making more than $250,000 per year.” (Michael Coleman, “A Race Of Contrasts,” Albuquerque Journal, 10/10/10)

Heinrich Signed A Letter To Then-House Speaker Pelosi That Stated Democratic Opposition To The Tax Cut Compromise. “In response to President Obama’s deal on the Bush tax cuts, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich signed a letter initiated by Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to Speaker Pelosi opposing Republican demands to extend tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich To White House: ‘Don’t Back Down,’” Press Release, 12/8/10)

In January Of 2012, Heinrich Again Denounced The Republican Tax Cuts, Claiming They “Have Proven Ineffective At Stimulating Job Growth, And Must Be Ended.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich Statement On President Obama’s State Of The Union Address,” Press Release, 1/24/12)

MEANWHILE OBAMA-PELOSI-HEINRICH 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)