Just as she’s done over 50 times during her tenure in Washington, Missouri’s liberal Senator Claire McCaskill stood with President Obama today and voted for a massive tax hike on Missouri small businesses, families, farmers and ranchers.  McCaskill even voted to reinstate the massive death tax, despite previously claiming to oppose it.

“Liberal Claire McCaskill has never met a tax hike that she didn’t like and once again, standing behind President Obama was more important for Senator McCaskill than standing up for Missouri farmers and small business owners,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover said today.  “Under McCaskill and Obama’s watch we’ve seen 41 straight months of unemployment above 8 percent, an almost $16 trillion debt and over 1,100 days without a budget.  If Missourians want to reverse course and restore common sense in Washington, they can start by retiring Claire McCaskill in November.”

Remarkably, McCaskill’s vote came just hours after President Obama’s own Treasury Secretary testified before a House Committee and admitted that the “economy is not growing fast enough and unemployment is very high.”  

It also comes as McCaskill has said on the record that she supports extending tax cuts for those earning less than $1 million.   And just yesterday, the Missouri farm bureau sent a letter to Senators saying point blank that the Democrats’ tax bill “exemption is not high enough to protect a typical farm or ranch.”

BACKGROUND.…

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Admitted Just Today That “The Economy is Not Growing Fast Enough.” GEITHNER: “But I’ll tell you my general view on this. The economy is not growing fast enough. Unemployment is very high. Huge amount of damage left in the housing market.” (House Financial Services Committee, U.S. House Of Representatives, Hearing, 7/25/12)

McCaskill Said She Supported Extending The Tax Cuts For People Earning Less Than $1 Million. WALLACE: “So let me just make sure, real quickly — I understand what you’re saying is that you would back off the idea of making the cutoff point $250,000. You say extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone who’s making less than a million dollars a year?” SEN. MCCASKILL: “That’s what I think is the right approach. That’s the approach I’m going to be working for. I can’t speak for the rest of my caucus; I certainly can’t speak for the president of the United States.” (Fox News, “Fox News Sunday,” 11/28/10)

McCaskill on the Estate Tax): “Estate tax issue draws local input … McCaskill said today in a written statement. ‘I support extending the current exemption so that we don’t hurt family farmers.’” (“Estate Tax Issue Draws Local Input,” Columbia Daily Tribune, 6/7/06)

July 13, 2012, Majority Leader Reid Announced A Tax Plan That Only Extended The Tax Cuts For Those Earning Less Than $200,000. “Senate Democrats will push a one-year tax cut proposal for individual Americans earning $200,000 or less annually, setting the stage for a showdown in coming weeks with Republicans over extending the Bush tax cuts, according to a new plan circulating on Capitol Hill.” (John Bresnahan, “Senate Dems Push One-Year Tax Cut,” Politico, 7/13/12)

• “With Only 53 Democrats – And Reid Calling For A Straight Majority Vote For Any Tax Proposal – Democratic Leaders Cannot Afford To Lose Any Support.” (John Bresnahan, “Senate Dems Push One-Year Tax Cut,” Politico, 7/13/12)

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND….

Missouri Farmers & Small Business Owners Spoke Out Against Claire McCaskill’s Tax Hike

MISSOURI FARMERS: “…exemption is not high enough to protect a typical farm or ranch from estate taxes considering land values and the cost of machinery, equipment and farm buildings. Two years ago we shared with you the stories of two Missouri farm families—one frustrated with estate planning because of ever-changing laws and another struggling to pay inheritance taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. We are certain there are more families just like them…” (Letter To Sen. McCaskill, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, 7/24/12) 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: “Increasing taxes now will undermine economic recovery, choke off job creation, and take money out of the hands of the individuals and businesses that create jobs, spur investment, boost consumption, and promote economic growth.” (“Key Vote Alert On S. 3412, The “‘’Middle Class Tax Cut Act,’” The Chamber Of Commerce, 7/24/12) 

• “The Chamber urges you to oppose S. 3412, which would impose a massive tax hike on American businesses.” (“Key Vote Alert On S. 3412, The “‘’Middle Class Tax Cut Act,’” The Chamber Of Commerce, 7/24/12) 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS: “This legislation would raise tax rates on small businesses at a particularly fragile time for the economy, stifling growth and investment when we can least afford it.” (National Federation Of Independent Business, Letter To Senators, 7/24/12)

• “This tax hike disproportionately impacts small businesses… will shrink the economy by 1.3 percent and result in the loss of 710,000 jobs.” (National Federation Of Independent Business, Letter To Senators, 7/24/12)

• “…the maximum estate tax rate will revert to 55 percent while the exemption level will drop to $ 1 million. This will increase the number of estates hit with the tax from 3,600 to 46,700, including 21,700 small businesses.” (National Federation Of Independent Business, Letter To Senators, 7/24/12)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS: “…S. 3412 would result in higher taxes for the vast majority of manufacturers in the United States, threatening their ability to create jobs. …the possibility of these tax increases has forced many manufacturers to put investment and hiring plans on hold.” (National Association Of Manufacturers, Key Manufacturing Vote Letter, 7/14/12)

• “…the bill’s plan to restore estate tax rates and exemptions to pre-2001 levels would hit thousands of family-owned SMMs across our nation.” (National Association Of Manufacturers, Key Manufacturing Vote Letter, 7/14/12)

• “As our economy struggles to regain its footing, now is not the time to increase taxes on job creators and investors.” (National Association Of Manufacturers, Key Manufacturing Vote Letter, 7/14/12)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WHOLESALER-DISTRIBUTORS: “This legislation would in fact do very great harm to the middle class it purports to help.” (National Association Of Wholesaler-Distributors, Open Letter To Senators, 7/24/12)

• “Despite the unemployment crisis, the Senate is set to vote on legislation which will indisputably make matters worse.” (National Association Of Wholesaler-Distributors, Open Letter To Senators, 7/24/12)

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Two years after liberal Democrat Claire McCaskill voted for ObamaCare, which she promised would reduce healthcare costs for millions of people, a new report today from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reveals that the price of healthcare continues to increase.

Since the healthcare bill has been signed into law, costs have risen by 9 percent and the average premium has risen by $1,300.  They could rise as much as $2,500 according to today’s CBO report. 

As the CBO reports:

The additional enrollees [i.e., those previously projected to enroll in Medicaid, but who will now receive Exchange subsidies in light of the Court’s ruling] are likely to spend more on health care, on average, than those previously expected to purchase insurance through the exchanges because people with lower income generally have somewhat poorer health.  As a result, CBO and JCT now estimate that the premiums for health insurance offered through the exchanges, along with premiums in the individual market, will be 2 percent higher than those estimated in March 2012.

Notably, the total cost of the healthcare bill has risen from $940 billion to nearly $1.75 trillion. 

“Liberal U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill promised ObamaCare would lower the cost of healthcare, but today Missourians are paying more money than ever,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.  “Between the job-killing taxes and the raiding of Medicare funds, it’s clear Claire McCaskill misled voters about the true effects of her government-run healthcare plan.”

BACKGROUND …

Claire McCaskill Promised ObamaCare Would Lower Healthcare Costs

McCaskill: “We Passed A Bill That I Think Over The Long Haul, That I Think Will Bring Down The Deficit And Bring Down Health Care Costs.” (Manu Raju, “Claire McCaskill: No Forced Senate Health Care Bill,” Politico, 1/20/10)

“McCaskill Said The [Health Care] Bill Is Not Perfect But Will ‘Vastly Improve The Current Realities Of Health Care In Our Country’ By Stabilizing Health Care Costs, Making Insurance More Affordable And Available To Most Americans And By Reducing The Deficit Over 20 Years.” (“Mo. Senators Split On Health Care Legislation,” The Associated Press, 12/24/09)

Meanwhile Healthcare Costs Across The Country Continue To Rise

BLOOMBERG:  “The average cost of a family policy climbed 9 percent in 2011 to $15,073, according to a poll of 2,088 private companies and state and local government agencies by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in Menlo Park, California, and the Chicago- based American Hospital Association’s Health Research and Educational Trust.” (Jeffrey Young, “Health-Benefit Costs Rise Most In Six Years,” Bloomberg, 9/27/11)

WALL STREET JOURNAL:  “[In 2011], the health-insurance premiums employers pay rose sharply this year, with the average annual cost of family coverage passing the $15,000 mark for the first time, according to a major survey.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11) 

WALL STREET JOURNAL: “The average annual family premium for 2011 was $15,073, up from $13,770 last year.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11)

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“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)

The post Obama, McCaskill Want Higher Taxes On Small Businesses, But Can’t Explain How That Will Create More Missouri Jobs appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Over three years ago, liberal Democrat Claire McCaskill was one of the most outspoken advocates in Washington in support of a massive “stimulus” spending bill that she flatly predicted would put thousands of Missourians back to work.

At the same time, McCaskill was rallying her liberal friends to support the massive health care law which the Supreme Court confirmed last week represents a massive tax hike on Missouri families and small businesses.  In fact, just this past week, McCaskill doubled-down on her support for ObamaCare even though it contains 20 new or higher taxes on Missouri families and small businesses at the very same time they’re working to get back on their feet.

Yet, since the Democrats have run Washington over the last four years, our country has actually lost over 400,000 jobs, and today marks the 41^st straight month that the national unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent.

In fact, the June unemployment report shows the worst quarter of job creation in two years.

As CNBC reports:

CNBC’s John Harwood: “Not Good News For The American Economy”

“Between last week’s Supreme Court decision and today’s jobs report, it’s a sobering reminder that at a time when Senator McCaskill and the Democrats should have been focused on jobs, they focused instead on a massive middle class tax hike and reckless government spending programs,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jahan Wilcox said today.  “McCaskill’s rosy rhetoric that President Obama’s spending policies will actually help the Missouri economy is just a reminder how out-of-touch she is with reality.”
BACKGROUND…. 

McCaskill-Obama Economic Record….

• Since President Obama Took Office, The Nation Has Lost 473,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 7.8 Percent To 8.2 Percent. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 7/6/12)

• In June, The Hispanic Unemployment Rate Remained At 11.0 Percent. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 7/6/12)

• The African American Unemployment Rate Increased From 13.6 Percent To 14.4 Percent. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 7/6/12)

• The Unemployment Rate Has Remained Above Eight Percent For A Record 41 Straight Months. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 7/6/12)

• The Real Unemployment Rate, Including Those That Are Working Part-Time Due To Economic Reasons, Increased To 14.9 Percent. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 7/6/12) 

VERSUS….

Liberal Claire McCaskill’s Rosy Rhetoric…. 

• “After Eight Years Of Recklessness During The Bush Administration Helped Create The Single Worst Economic Crisis In Generations, Claire Has Worked Hard To Stabilize The Economy And Bring Jobs To Missouri.” (Claire McCaskill For U.S. Senate, www.clairemccaskill.com, Accessed 6/25/12)

• In 2008, McCaskill Said Democrats “Knew How To Create Jobs.” McCaskill: “They both reflect a time in our country when Democrats were in charge and we knew how to save money. We knew how to run a budget. We knew how to create jobs. I think it’s great to give a tip of our hat. We think the world of the Clintons and the leadership they’ve provided in this country. And I know the Obamas feel the same way.” (MSNBC, 8/26/08)

• McCaskill: “On The Other Hand, Barack Obama Has Been Consistent. This Has Been About Strengthening The Middle Class . . . And Creating Jobs.” (Fox News’ “Your World With Neil Cavuto,” 10/15/08)

• McCaskill: The Stimulus Is A “Way Of Injecting This Money Into The Economy To Put People Back To Work.” “Well, what has happened is, because there’s such uncertainty and lack of confidence in the market, there’s this retraction. That’s what a recession is. What does this does, it puts money into the economy. It causes growth in businesses. If a business goes to a bank and says, hey, I just got a contract to build this building for the federal government, that bank is going to look at that loan application in a whole different light than they would today, without that kind of stimulative effect. So this is, in fact, a way of injecting this money into the economy to put people back to work. That — it is just that simple.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 2/3/09)

• When Asked If There Was A “Conceptual Area” In Which Obama Was Wrong, McCaskill Said “We Did The Stimulus. We Did — We Did What Has Been, By The Way, Wildly Successful, The TARP.” WALLACE: “I mean, beyond these specific issues, is there a conceptual area in which you think this president is wrong?” MCCASKILL: “Well, I think that there have been — I think, frankly, there has been not enough focus in terms of the job creation at a point in time — we did the stimulus. We did — we did what has been, by the way, wildly successful, the TARP. And especially look what’s happened with General Motors. We saved ‘made in America’ for domestic auto production. We saved thousands of jobs. We saved entire communities . . .” WALLACE: “Yeah, but my question is where has he been . . .” MCCASKILL: “. . . because of what we did with General Motors.” (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 11/28/10)

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Two years after U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) provided the deciding vote to ram ObamaCare through Congress, the Supreme Court today has affirmed McCaskill’s decision to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of Missouri seniors and small businesses.  In doing so, the Court has made clear what is at stake in November’s election.

“The Supreme Court’s decision makes clear in this election – the only way to stop the massive tax increases, government spending, and cuts to Medicare contained in ObamaCare is to replace liberal Claire McCaskill in Washington,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover said today.  

BACKGROUND….

At Town Hall Forums In August 2009, McCaskill Promised Not To Vote For A Bill That Would Raise Taxes 

“McCaskill Also Vowed To Vote Against A Bill That Would Come With A Tax Hike, Saying ‘In This Economy The Last Thing We Want To Do Is Have A Tax Increase.’ ‘I’m Certainly Not Going To Vote For A Bill That Raises Your Taxes Unless You Make $2 Million A Year,’ She Said. McCaskill has been hosting similar forums across the state throughout the legislative recess. She said having the chance to hear from doctors, nurses and residents from Missouri has provided insight into concerns people have about the reform legislation.” (Matthew Steingraber, “Sen McCaskill Hosts Health Care Reform At Warrensburg,” McClatchy Tribune News, 8/27/09) 

McCaskill Said Of The Health Care Bill, “I Will Not Support A Tax Increase On Anyone Who Makes $250,000 A Year Or Less.” “In response to a question from a man who asked, ‘How do we pay without bankrupting the country?’ McCaskill said she would not vote for a bill that was not ‘revenue-neutral,’ meaning the program would have to pay for itself or be paid for with additional taxes. ‘I will not support a tax increase on anyone who makes $250,000 a year or less,’ she added.” (Terry Ganey, “Tempers flare at forum,” Columbia Daily Tribune, 8/27/09)

Claire McCaskill Proudly Voted For ObamaCare 

McCaskill Provided The 60th Vote To Invoke Cloture On The Senate Health Care Bill. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #395: Passed 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/23/09, McCaskill Voted Yea)

But Missouri Voters Have Made Their Voices Heard

2010: Missourians Voted To Prohibit The Government From Requiring People To Buy Health Insurance

“Missouri Voters On Tuesday Overwhelmingly Approved A Measure Aimed At Nullifying The New Federal Health Care Law, becoming the first state in the nation where ordinary people made known their dismay over the issue at the ballot box.” (Monica Davey, “Missouri Voters Reject Health Law,” The New York Times, 8/3/10)

“About 71 Percent Of Missouri Voters Backed A Ballot Measure, Proposition C, That Would Prohibit The Government From Requiring People To Have Health Insurance Or From Penalizing Them For Not Having It.” (“Missouri Votes To Block Obama’s Health Insurance Mandate,” Fox News, 8/4/10)

McCaskill Blamed The Vote Results On Missourians Not Being “Fully Aware” Of ObamaCare’s “Positive Aspects” And Said “It Was Just About Political Posturing”

McCaskill “Said The Results Reflect The Fact That Voters Have Been Bombarded With Anti-Government Criticism Of The New Law And Aren’t Fully Aware Of Its Positive Aspects.” “Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, who backed the health care law, said the results reflect the fact that voters have been bombarded with anti-government criticism of the new law and aren’t fully aware of its positive aspects. ‘Big government, bad government, don’t trust ‘em’ is a pretty simple message,’ said McCaskill.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and David A. Lieb, “Missouri Vote Puts Health Care Back In Crosshairs,” The Associated Press, 8/5/10)

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND…. 

The Cost Of ObamaCare To Missouri Alone

Cost To State

The Heritage Foundation Estimates From 2014 To 2020 ObamaCare Will Cost Missouri An Additional $335.5 Million. (Edmund Haislmaier and Brian Blasé, “Obamacare: Impact On States,” The Heritage Foundation, 7/1/10)

The Missouri Department Of Services Projects Obamacare Will Cost Missouri $99.2 Million In 2017 And Rise 4.5 Percent Annually. “Yet even the Senate appropriations figures are greater than those cited by the Missouri Department of Services. Department projections provided last week to The Associated Press show the U.S. Senate bill would expand coverage to 255,000 adults at a cost to Missouri of $99.2 million in 2017, then would increase by 4.5 percent annually.” (David A. Lieb, “Analysis: State Republicans Oppose Federal Medicaid Expansion, Citing High Costs,” The Associated Press, 1/18/10)

In 2010, Healthcare Spending In Missouri Accounted For $21.9 Billion, Or 8.97 Percent Of The State’s GDP. (“Gross Domestic Product By State (GDP By State) Interactive Maps,” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, Accessed 5/20/12)

Missourians Are Losing Their Insurance Policies

Missouri One Of 34 States To Lose A Child Only Insurance Policy Since ObamaCare Was Signed Into Law. (US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Minority Oversight and Investigations Staff Phone and Email Preliminary Survey, Politico, 1/27/11)

According To Health Insurers, New Limits On Health Insurance Due To ObamaCare Will Require Higher Premiums That Colleges And Students Worry They Won’t Be Able To Afford. “Insurers said the new limits will require higher premiums that colleges and students, particularly at smaller schools, are worried they can’t afford. And while there’s a chance the U.S. Supreme Court will throw out the law later this month — making the new limits irrelevant — college administrators said they’ve had to finalize their coverage plans for the coming semesters assuming the law remains intact.” (Brianne Pfannenstiel, “Health Care Reform Law Dictates Changes For Student Insurance Coverage,” Kansas City Star, 6/13/12)

Douglas Penner Of The Kansas Independent College Association: Colleges Are Trying To Figure Out If They Can “Provide Anything Close To The Kind Of Coverage That’s Required And Is Economically Feasible For Students.” “‘We’ve had a lot of discussion among the chief financial officers about the dilemma,’ said Douglas Penner of the Kansas Independent College Association. ‘I think they were all grappling with the implications of the new minimums for coverage and trying to figure out whether they could provide anything close to the kind of coverage that’s required and is economically feasible for students.’” (Brianne Pfannenstiel, “Health Care Reform Law Dictates Changes For Student Insurance Coverage,” Kansas City Star, 6/13/12)

• Avila University And Bethany College, Both In Kansas, Have Decided To Opt Out Of Health Coverage – Leaving More Than 100 Students Uninsured, After Premiums Were Expected To Rise From $450 To $2,500 A Year. “This year, for the first time in decades, Avila University will not offer health insurance plans for domestic students. Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., also opted out of health coverage — leaving more than 100 students potentially uncovered — after premiums were projected to rise from $450 a year to $2,500.” (Brianne Pfannenstiel, “Health Care Reform Law Dictates Changes For Student Insurance Coverage,” Kansas City Star, 6/13/12)
• Bob Schmoll, Bethany’s Vice President For Finance: “It’s Going To Be Scary Given The Number Of Students Who Were Participating In Those Plans.” “‘It’s going to be scary given the number of students who were participating in those plans,’ said Bob Schmoll, Bethany’s vice president for finance. ‘It’s going to be a lot of people who aren’t covered.’” (Brianne Pfannenstiel, “Health Care Reform Law Dictates Changes For Student Insurance Coverage,” Kansas City Star, 6/13/12)

Students Within The University Of Missouri System Will See Health Care Prices Increase 7 Percent. “For schools within the University of Missouri system, prices for students will increase by about 7 percent.” (Brianne Pfannenstiel, “Health Care Reform Law Dictates Changes For Student Insurance Coverage,” Kansas City Star, 6/13/12)

Taxes/Effect On Businesses & Jobs

Missouri Tanning Salon Owner Called The Tax “A Hurdle” That “Doesn’t Help” Small Business Owners Who Are Already Struggling. “Tina Burger, owner of Sun-Sations in Jackson, hopes businesses like the mom-and-pop salons don’t shut their doors because of the tax. … ‘Being a small-business owner, you’re already trying to turn a profit during hard economic times,’ Burger said. ‘And then when you hit a hurdle like this, it doesn’t help.’“ (Brian Blackwell, “Area Tanning Salons Oppose 10 Percent Tax That Takes Effect July 1,” Southeast Missourian, 4/30/10)

• Another Missouri Tanning Salon Owner Said ObamaCare’s Tanning Tax “Is Just Another Blow To Small Business.” “Angela DeProw, owner of Under the Sun in Cape Girardeau, believes the tax on her industry couldn’t come at a worse time, when the nation’s estimated 18,000 tanning salons are falling on hard times. ‘The indoor tanning industry as well as other industries have been negatively affected by the economy,’ DeProw said. ‘The added 10 percent tax on indoor tanning is just another blow to small business and will negatively affect the consumers’ buying decisions.’“ (Brian Blackwell, “Area Tanning Salons Oppose 10 Percent Tax That Takes Effect July 1,” Southeast Missourian, 4/30/10)

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This weekend Senator Claire McCaskill tried to convince the Quincy Journal that, unbeknownst to the rest of America, the United States Senate had in fact passed a budget.

Watch this short video and witness how with such ease Sen. McCaskill can spin this falsehood.

SENATE PASSED A BUDGET?

It’s interesting that McCaskill would claim a budget has been passed when Politifact recently rated the statement that Democrats hadn’t passed a budget in more than 1,000 days as “true.”

Further, even DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in April didn’t deny that the Senate hadn’t passed a budget, telling Fox News’ Brett Baier to “please ask” Harry Reid about the process.

As recently as May, Democrat Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia told Politico, “Sure I have a problem with [failing to offer a budget]. As a former governor, my responsibility was to put a budget forward and balance it, so anyone who comes from the executive mindset has a problem with that. I don’t care if you’re Democrat or Republican,” Manchin said in an interview.

“Senator McCaskill is either living in fantasyland or deliberately misleading Missouri voters,”  said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover. “This is exactly the kind of political double speak the hard working men and women of the Show Me State are tired of and why they are going to show her the door this November.”

BACKGROUND…

Reid: Passing A Budget ‘Foolish’

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “It would be foolish for us to do a budget at this stage.” (“Harry Reid: ‘Foolish’ For Democrats To Offer Budget Plan,” LA Times, 5/20/11) 

Schumer: Not The Point

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “To put other budgets out there is not the point.” (“Schumer: Medicare Will ‘Define’ 2012,” Politico, 5/23/11) 

Politico: Dems: ‘Frustration With Their Party’s Budget Inaction’ 

“…Democratic leaders have defiantly refused to lay out their own vision for how to deal with federal debt and spending… centrists in the 53-member Democratic conference expressed frustration with their party’s budget inaction.” (“Lack Of Budget Irks Moderate Dems,” Politico, 5/15/12) 

SEN. MARK PRYOR (D-AR): “The budget process is just not working around here. We’ve had three years with President Obama where we’re not able to get a budget resolution passed… We need to get back to the fundamentals of governing which is to do a budget.” (“Lack Of Budget Irks Moderate Dems,” Politico, 5/15/12) 

SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D-CA): ‘Great Idea’ QUESTION: “[Senator Mark Pryor’s] basically saying he wishes the Democratic Senate would go ahead and produce a budget resolution going forward.” BOXER: “Well I think that is just a great idea…” (MSNBC’s “The Daily Rundown,” 5/16/12)

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “The fact is, what we don’t have is a longer-term plan.” (“Senate Democrats Wary Of Budget Fights,” Roll Call, 4/9/12) 

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (ID-CT): “I don’t think [Democrats] will offer their own budget and I’m disappointed in that.” (“Lack Of Budget Irks Moderate Dems,” Politico, 5/15/12) 

“Freshman Sen. Joe Manchin has often said he would have been ‘impeached’ if he failed to produce a budget as West Virginia governor, though he conceded there are differences between the state and Senate budget processes. ‘Sure I have a problem with [failing to offer a budget]. As a former governor, my responsibility was to put a budget forward and balance it, so anyone who comes from the executive mindset has a problem with that. I don’t care if you’re Democrat or Republican,’ Manchin said in an interview.” (“Lack Of Budget Irks Moderate Dems,” Politico, 5/15/12)

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Just four days after the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the national unemployment rate climbed to 8.2 percent in April and on the same day the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that “the long-term outlook for the national debt is increasingly dire,” Missouri’s senior Senator Claire McCaskill cast her lot with America’s trial lawyers today ahead of her state’s small business owners.

McCaskill joined with her liberal Democrat party leaders today in support of the so-called “Paycheck Fairness Act,” a bill that is opposed by virtually every major small business organization in the country – see below – and even the liberal Washington Post editorial board warned that it represents “a flawed approach to job bias…[and] could make employers vulnerable to attack for responding to market forces.”

And as the Wall Street Journal opined today, “The bill ought to be called the ‘Trial Lawyer Paycheck Act,’ since it is a recipe for a class-action boom….It’s a walking advertisement for gridlock, a partisan stunt that would hurt the economy for no other reason than to pay off the Democratic donors in the tort bar.”

“It speaks volumes about Claire McCaskill’s misplaced, liberal priorities that while unemployment rises and our federal debt climbs, she’s more concerned with scoring political points and helping her trial lawyer friends,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover said today.  “Missouri small business owners and families deserve a Senator who will put their values first, and someone who is more focused on growing jobs, rather than just saving her own.” 

BACKGROUND….

Also note what the Wall Street Journal wrote this morning:

• “The U.S. already has two broad federal laws—the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1963 Equal Pay Act—that prohibit gender-based pay discrimination. In case that wasn’t enough, Congress passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act in 2009 that as recently as March Mr. Obama said ‘ensures equal pay for equal work.’ What changed in the last three months?”

In fact, Senator McCaskill has yet to address how she squares her rhetoric today with what she claimed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would accomplish when it was signed into law three years ago….

• McCaskill Said The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Is About Equal Pay and Equal Opportunity For Women In The Workplace. McCaskill: “It isn’t just about equal pay. With all do respect to my friend and colleague from Pennsylvania, it’s not just about pay. It’s about promotions. It’s about whether you’re considered for the big job. Not just whether you are making the same amount when you get the big job.” (“McCaskill Speaks From The Senate Floor On Ledbetter Fair Pay Bill,”  www.youtube.com, Posted 3/2/09, 1:10)

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND….

Jobs Groups, Top Newspaper Editorial Boards Have All Blasted The Democrats’ Bill, Warning It ‘Would Spawn Frivolous Lawsuits’

JOBS GROUPS LETTER: “The provisions of the Paycheck Fairness Act would harm employers of all sizes, as the bill would apply to employers with as few as two employees. The threat the bill poses to small business is particularly troubling given the draconian penalties found in this legislation, which include unlimited damages regardless of whether a pay discrepancy was unintentional.” (Letter To Sens. Reid And McConnell, 22 Jobs Groups, 5/24/12)

• “This flawed legislation could outlaw many legitimate practices that employers currently use to set employee pay rates, even where there is no evidence of intentional discrimination. Common practices that a court could find unlawful under S. 3220 include providing premium pay for professional experience, education, shift differentials or hazardous work, as well as pay differentials based on local labor market rates or an organization’s profitability.” (Letter To Sens. Reid And McConnell, 22 Jobs Groups, 5/24/12)

• “A number of federal laws already specifically protect employees from pay discrimination, including the Equal Pay Act, the Civil Rights Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.” (Letter To Sens. Reid And McConnell, 22 Jobs Groups, 5/24/12) 

• Letter Signed By: U.S. Chamber of Commerce; American Bakers Association; American Bankers Association; American Hotel & Lodging Association; Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.; College and University Professional Association for Human Resources; Food Marketing Institute; HR Policy Association; International Public Management Association for Human Resources; National Association of Manufacturers; National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors; National Council of Chain Restaurants; National Council of Textile Organizations; National Federation of Independent Business; National Public Employer Labor Relations Association; National Restaurant Association; National Retail Federation; National Roofing Contractors Association; Printing Industries of America; Retail Industry Leaders Association; Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council; Society for Human Resource Management

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:  “Unlawful pay discrimination is abhorrent, but this bill is not a responsible way to address it.” (“Mikulski Plan For Women’s Pay Gets New Push,” The Baltimore Sun, 5/23/12) 

• “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is opposing the legislation and will send a letter later this week urging senators to defeat it, arguing it would spawn frivolous lawsuits.” (“Equal Pay Bill Puts Romney On The Line On Women,” The Washington Times, 5/29/12) 

• “…As a practical matter it is just one more thing that creates a disincentive to do business here in the United States. If you are looking at where to open a new business, it is going to be a factor…” (“Business Community Opposes Paycheck Fairness Act,” The Daily Caller, 11/13/10) 

SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:  “…SHRM opposes Federal government efforts to second-guess employers in making pay decisions…” (“HR Alert! Oppose The Paycheck Fairness Act,” SHRM Statement, 5/30/12) 

• SHRM: “The bill would also have a negative impact on employee privacy by encouraging employees to publicize their colleagues’ wages.” (“HR Alert! Oppose The Paycheck Fairness Act,” SHRM Statement, 5/30/12) 

EDITORIALS: ‘A Flawed Approach,’ ‘Grossly Intrusive’

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: “…grossly intrusive on decision-making by private businesses. At least one group would get a fatter paycheck from the Paycheck Fairness Act: trial lawyers.” (Editorial, “Paycheck Fairness?,” The Chicago Tribune, 11/12/10) 

WASHINGTON POST: “Paycheck Fairness Act: A flawed approach to job bias… could make employers vulnerable to attack for responding to market forces… not the right fix.” (Editorial, “Paycheck Fairness Act: A Flawed Approach To Job Bias,” The Washington Post, 9/28/10) 

• “…risks tilting the scales too far against employers and would remove, rather than restore, a sense of balance.” (Editorial, “Two Sides Of Fair Pay In Bills Before The Senate,” The Washington Post, 1/15/09) 

BOSTON GLOBE: “…the measure as a whole is too broad a solution to a complex, nuanced problem… The bill would create too strong a presumption in favor of discrimination over other, equally plausible explanations…” (Editorial, “Bill Takes On Disturbing Pay Gap — But Offers Flawed Remedies,” The Boston Globe, 11/17/10) 

• “… the controversial meat of the bill is the changes it would make to the legal process… companies are right to be concerned that this bill, as written, is too deep an intrusion.” (Editorial, “Bill Takes On Disturbing Pay Gap — But Offers Flawed Remedies,” The Boston Globe, 11/17/10)

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Senator Claire McCaskill’s uphill re-election bid was the subject of a story in yesterday’s Washington Post which was then the focus of an interview that her official government office curiously set up with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews yesterday evening.

In the course of yesterday’s MSNBC interview, which was conducted from the Russell Senate Office Building, Senator McCaskill made a direct pitch for campaign contributions – even directing viewers to her campaign website – which would appear to violate both Senate ethics rules and federal law.   The U.S. Senate ethics manual clearly states – “Senate Members and staff may not receive or solicit campaign contributions in any federal building.” 

As The Daily Caller reports today, “[A] Democratic lawmaker may have violated prohibitions against soliciting campaign contributions on government property while appearing on MSNBC on Monday night.” 

“Senator McCaskill has a long record of saying one thing in Missouri while doing another in Washington, and her sense of entitlement is troubling,” National Republican Senatorial Committee General Counsel Sean Cairncross said today.   “Even more troubling is the fact that she would directly solicit campaign contributions on government property, a potential violation of Senate ethics rules and federal law.  Just as with the controversy surrounding her private plane, it seems Senator McCaskill doesn’t believe the rules apply to her.” 

Of course this isn’t the first time McCaskill has been caught saying one thing in Missouri and doing another in Washington, while failing to apply the same ethical standards that she has long demanded of others in government.   Last year, Missouri’s senior Senator Claire McCaskill introduced legislation to create “an independent non-partisan watchdog to investigate, audit, and review Senate operations” and she said the following: 

• ·         “There’s nothing that irritates Americans more than the fact that some members of Congress think they are entitled to their own set of rules. And it’s true – too many people in Washington live in an alternate reality. It’s time for that to stop.” 

Less than a month later, McCaskill was forced to admit that she had improperly billed taxpayers for political travel on her private plane, while failing to pay over $300,000 in back taxes owed on her aircraft as well. 

BACKGROUND…. 

This is what McCaskill said to MSNBC’s Chris Matthews yesterday in an interview from the Russell Senate Office Building:

• McCaskill: “I’m asking regular folks to be my superpac — I’m really proud that we raised a lot of money last quarter but 90% of it came from donations of less than $200 and on Clairemccaskill.com people can give 25 bucks and if people can give a lot of those we will have our own superpac.” 

And this is what the Senate ethics manual very clearly lays out…..

• In addition to this general prohibition, there are several criminal statutes that impose additional restrictions on campaign activities by Senate Members and staff:
  • No Campaign Activity in a Federal Building — Senate Members and staff may not receive or solicit campaign contributions in any federal building. 

Further, Senator McCaskill used her official government staff to set-up an interview that was focused solely on her re-election bid conflicts with yet another section of the Senate ethics manual as well governing campaign activity by Senate employees: 

• Senate employees are free to engage in campaign activity, as volunteers or for pay, provided they do so on their own time, outside of Senate space, and without using Senate resources.

But these are just  a few examples of what Senator McCaskill has said in the past about the improper use of taxpayer dollars:

• “After Eight Years In Office As Missouri’s State Auditor, Claire Came To The Senate With Extensive Experience Targeting Government Waste And Mismanagement And An Eye To Root Out Waste, Fraud And Abuse At The Federal Level.” (Senator Claire McCaskill, “Government Accountability,” www.mccaskill.senate.gov, Accessed 4/24/12)

• McCaskill Has Worked To “Establish Herself As An Ethics Cop In The Senate.” “That the former state auditor has sought to establish herself as an ethics cop in the Senate — she had previously proposed a crackdown on Congressional travel — could make the attacks that much easier for her Republican rivals.” (Jake Wagman, “McCaskill Will Pay $287K For Back Taxes On Plane,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Political Fix Blog, www.stltoday.com, Posted 3/21/11)

• In A Press Release Titled “Congress Should Play By The Same Rules As Everyone Else,” McCaskill Said “There’s Nothing That Irritates Americans More Than The Fact That Some Members Of Congress Think They Are Entitled To Their Own Set Of Rules. And It’s True – Too Many People In Washington Live In An Alternate Reality. It’s Time For That To Stop.” “U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced today a series of common sense reforms that will bring change to the way Congress does business. McCaskill’s proposal builds on previous efforts to reform Washington by bringing new accountability to Congress while forcing members to do their part to begin addressing the budget crisis. ‘There’s nothing that irritates Americans more than the fact that some members of Congress think they are entitled to their own set of rules. And it’s true – too many people in Washington live in an alternate reality. It’s time for that to stop,’ McCaskill said.” (Senator Claire McCaskill, “McCaskill: Congress Should Play By The Same Rules As Everyone Else,” Press Release, 2/20/11)

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As a candidate for the Senate in 2006, Claire McCaskill repeatedly invoked the mantra of fiscal responsibility and stressed the importance of a “pay-as-you-go” system.

Yet, in the less than six years McCaskill has been in the Senate, the federal debt has skyrocketed by trillions and trillions of dollars.  In fact, in the less than four years since President Obama took office and McCaskill has unabashedly supported every one of his big government spending programs, the government’s credit card bill has increased an additional $5 trillion — from $10.6 trillion to $15.6 trillion.

What’s worse – Senate Democrats have refused to pass a budget for over three years – 1,085 days to be exact.

And earlier today, McCaskill’s fellow Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee cancelled a planned markup of a federal budget for 2013, and announced that no action would be taken on the budget this year until after the November election.   As numerous news reports from Capitol Hill pointed out, McCaskill and her Democratic colleagues are apparently more concerned with their own re-elections than with tackling the country’s skyrocketing debt.

“The decision by Senator McCaskill to punt on a federal budget for the third year in a row makes clear that she’s more concerned with her own political survival than with trying to secure America’s economic future,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover said today.  “Missourians expect Claire McCaskill to do her job, but for over 1,000 days she’s refused to fulfill the most basic duty of her office.” 

“Missouri deserves a Senator who is focused on doing what’s right for her state and her country and not what’s best for her own political career,” Trover concluded.   

BACKGROUND … 

CLAIRE MCCASKILL CAMPAIGNED ON FISCAL REFORM 

When Asked Why She Could Beat An Incumbent, McCaskill Said Missourians Have A Laundry List, Which Included “Incredible Overspending” And “Blowing The Deficit Out Of Control.” “MATTHEWS: “Welcome back to Hardball. . . . Why do you think you can beat an incumbent U.S. senator, Claire McCaskill?” MCCASKILL: “Well I just think Missourians frankly and I think most Americans have — there’s kind of a laundry list. I mean, you can start with incredible overspending, blowing the deficit out of control.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 6/28/06)

BUT IT’S BEEN 1,085 DAYS SINCE MCCASKILL & HER DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES HAVE PASSED A BUDGET 

APRIL 29, 2009:  The Senate has passed the President’s budget by a vote of 53-43. (Brian Beutler, The Budget Passes Both Houses, TPM, 04/29/09) 

WHICH IS LONGER THAN IT TOOK TO BUILD THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING:  The [Empire State Building] was actually completed ahead of schedule, taking only one year and 45 days to build. (Jennifer Rosenberg, Empire State Building Facts, Accessed 01/23/12) 

AND IN 2012 MCCASKILL & HER FELLOW LIBERAL DEMOCRATS HAVE REFUSED TO EVEN INTRODUCE A BUDGET 

• The Hill: Sen. Conrad Backs Off Plan To Vote On Budget.  Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) bowed to pressure from fellow Democrats on Tuesday and postponed a committee vote on a 2013 budget resolution, most likely until after the November elections. 

• Congressional Quarterly: Conrad to Hold No Votes on Budget. Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad is offering a long-term deficit reduction plan at what he is calling a markup Wednesday, but the more immediate effect of his action will be to spare Democrats potentially difficult election year votes on spending priorities.  The North Dakota Democrat plans to offer his budget resolution without a final vote or possible amendments….Avoiding a vote also allows Conrad to meet the concerns of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has insisted he will not bring a budget to the floor. 

• ·         ABC News: Senate Budget Chair Defends Kicking the Can Down the Road.  Why do today what you can put off until after Election Day?  Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., has a plan for solving the nation’s debt crisis but doesn’t expect anything to get done before the fall election. 
• ·         Politico: Conrad budget a study in gridlock.  The Democratic-led Senate hasn’t passed a budget blueprint since April 2009, and it won’t do so again this spring as election-year pressures consume Capitol Hill. In fact, Conrad’s budget “markup” Wednesday won’t even be a real markup because senators won’t actually offer amendments or vote…. Last year, despite weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations with his own conference, Conrad abandoned a budget markup after it became clear it lacked support from Democrats, who complained it was too conservative. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) sealed its fate, saying it was “foolish” to pass a budget as Vice President Joe Biden was negotiating a deal to raise the debt ceiling.  
• ·         Washington Post’s Right Turn: Senate Democrats Punt On The Budget, Again . Sen. Kent Conrad (D-S.D.) had a bright idea: The Senate should pass a budget. It was a fine insight, since it legally is supposed to do just that but hasn’t in about three years. He decided he would use the Simpson-Bowles debt commission proposal. Sounds like a respectable idea. But then the Senate Democrats and Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) swooped in, forcing Conrad to retreat. No votes on the budget! Don’t make us show our hand!  

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As millions of Missourians finish their taxes, liberal Democrat Claire McCaskill is working to ensure that next year some of them can pay even more money to the federal government, while refusing to pass a budget for the third year in a row.  

McCaskill voted this evening in support of the Buffett Tax increase which according to the Wall Street Journal does virtually nothing to the national deficit, and does nothing to create a single job or lower gas prices.  Additionally, newspapers, economists and political commentators around the country have derided this vote as “total gimmickry,” a “ruse,” “a publicity stunt,” “a hoax,” and “a sham.”

What’s more – it comes just one day after Senate Democrats, for the third year in a row, ignored the legal deadline of April 15^th, established under the Budget Control Act of 1974, to pass a budget resolution in the Senate.  For over 1,000 days, McCaskill and her liberal colleagues have refused to pass, or even introduce, a budget in the Senate as the federal debt has skyrocketed past $15 trillion. 

“The Buffett Tax doesn’t create a single Missouri job, it does nothing to lower our gas prices, and it does virtually nothing to put a dent in our government’s debt, but Claire McCaskill prefers cheap political theater over tackling the serious problems facing Missouri,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.   “Claire McCaskill doesn’t even have the courage to pass a budget, yet she has no problem sticking Missourians with higher taxes and more wasteful Washington spending.” 

BACKGROUND …

Claire McCaskill Has Voted Over 50 Times In Support Of Higher Taxes

McCaskill Has Voted 52 Times In Favor Of Higher Taxes. (CQ, www.cq.com)

And Now She Supports The Buffett Tax, Which Creates Zero Jobs

THE BUFFETT TAX WOULD CREATE ZERO NEW JOBS.  On the seventh and final page of its background report on the “Buffett Rule,” out this morning, the Obama administration finally dives into what it calls “the economic rationale” for imposing a new minimum tax rate on millionaires. If you’re an unemployed American, that placement should be your first red flag. The second should be the rationale itself.  Once you read it, you’ll realize the Buffett Rule has nothing to do with helping you, or the 13 million other Americans looking for work as of March, find a job. (Jim Tankersley, The Buffett Rule Won’t Get You a Job, National Journal, 04/10/12) 

BUFFETT TAX GIMMICK WOULD INCREASE REVENUE BY “LESS THAN ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT OF THE $1.2 TRILLION BUDGET DEFICIT” (0.1%): “This year, the Buffett rule would increase federal revenues by all of $1.1 billion. That’s less than one-tenth of one percent of the $1.2 trillion budget deficit Mr. Obama is scheduled to run this year. Through 2022 Joint Tax expects less than $47 billion in total new revenues from the Buffett rule while the government will be adding trillions of dollars to the national debt. Joint Tax even concedes, as it is rarely wont to do, that the rule will affect taxpayer behavior: By raising the effective tax rate on capital gains, the rule will encourage people to realize fewer capital gains.” (Editorial, “The Bottom 0.1%,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/22/2012)

Another Budget Deadline Comes and Goes Under Democrats

Democrats have gone a record three years in a row with no budget. They last passed a budget in 2009 so that they could pass the President’s health care law through reconciliation.

April 15^th was the Legal Deadline for Passing a Final Budget Resolution

• Sadly, Congress has failed to pass a final budget resolution by the legal deadline three times since Democrats won the majority in 2007 (for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013). 

• In addition to not bringing up their own proposal for a vote, Democrats in the Senate have wanted to avoid discussing the budget so much that last year they rejected four opportunities to move to budget resolutions (budgets from President Obama, Representative Ryan, Senator Toomey, and Senator Paul). 

Nonpartisan Reviewers Have Derided The Buffett Tax As ‘A Hoax On Voters,’ A ‘Total Sham,’ ‘Desperate.’ And Even Democrats Admit It’s ‘Not Going To Help’

BILL KELLER, THE NEW YORK TIMES: “…sounds a little desperate.” (Bill Keller, “The Sweet Spot,” The New York Times, 4/15/12) 

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN: “…won’t do much to eat away at the nation’s debt, it won’t create jobs, and no one expects it to get through the Democratic-controlled Senate…” (Candy Crowley, “Buffett Rule Would Barely Dent Debt But Fits Nicely Into Obama’s Theme,” CNN, 4/16/12) 

MIKA BRZEZINSKI, MSNBC: “…just what does it really accomplish, though?” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 4/16/12)

DANA MILBANK: “President Obama admits it: His proposed ‘Buffett Rule’ tax on millionaires is a gimmick…” (Dana Milbank, “Rebuffing Obama’s Gimmicky ‘Buffett Rule’,” The Washington Post, 4/11/12) 

BOB SCHIEFFER, CBS: “…kind of a publicity stunt…?” (CBS’ “Face The Nation,” 4/15/12)

JIM VANDEHEI, POLITICO: “It’s total gimmickry. It’s 1% of what you need to actually take care of the deficit.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 4/12/12)

FMR. REP. HAROLD FORD (D-TN): “…not going to help us grow…” Q: “So you support the Buffett rule? FORD: “No, there’s a big difference between the Buffett rule and reforming the tax code.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 4/16/12) 

FMR. SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D-WI): “My belief is this is more symbolic.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 4/16/12)

UNION LEADER [NH]: “…A Total Sham…The Buffett Rule is not about math or fairness or shared sacrifice. It is simply a cynical ploy to buy the votes of the ignorant and gullible.” (Editorial, “The Buffett Rule: A Total Sham,” Union Leader, 4/12/12) 

FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT [NH]: “Buffett Rule Is A Hoax On Voters … Buffett, schmuffett, President Obama’s Buffett Rule has nothing to do with fairness… It is also about distracting voters from the Obama administration’s mishandling of the economy.” (Editorial, “Buffett Rule Is A Hoax On Voters,” Foster’s Daily Democrat, 4/12/12) 

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL [WI]: “Buffett Rule Is A Political Gimmick That Won’t Work … the Buffett Rule is more likely to spawn a new generation of tax dodges than to usher in a new era of tax fairness. It is, in fact, nothing more than a smoke screen that obscures the possibility of real tax reform.” (Editorial, “Buffett Rule Is A Political Gimmick That Won’t Work,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/11/12) 

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER [CA]: “…the latest gimmick…” (“Taxing Those Mean Old Millionaires,” Orange County Register, 4/12/12) 

THE ECONOMIST: “What a pity that he is changing tack this time, bashing the rich via gimmicks such as the ‘Buffett rule’ … it is a miserable portent for the future.” (Editorial, “Game On,” The Economist, 4/14/12) 

BLOOMBERG NEWS: “The president may be just as happy to have an issue to campaign on as a law to sign.” (“Buffett Rule Or Not, Most Rich People Already Pay,” Bloomberg Businessweek, 4/12/12)

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