GOP Freshmen: No Tax Hikes to Cover Deficit

Freshmen Republicans reacted to President Obama's speech on the deficit Wednesday, with many echoing Speaker Boehner's 'line in the sand' - no new taxes.

"Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and the President’s call to impose more job-destroying tax hikes on our families and small businesses is not the answer to the serious fiscal challenges facing our nation." said Robert Hurt (R-VA5) in a statement. "House Republicans have and will continue to take responsible action to reduce the debt by cutting spending so that we can grow the economy and create jobs for all Central and Southside Virginians.”

Congressmen Tim Griffin (R-AR2) and Ben Quayle (R-AZ3) both expressed satisfaction that House Republicans had at least forced the President to propose a plan to address the debt. "I am glad to see the House has gotten the president's attention on the impending debt crisis and glad he has finally decided to talk about it," said Griffin.

"I’m pleased to see President Obama following the lead of Chairman Ryan and House Republicans in recognizing the necessity of tackling America’s enormous debt burden," echoed Quayle.

But neither were pleased with the substance of the proposal. "Unfortunately, his plan includes more out-of-control spending, tripling the debt in 10 years and job-killing tax increases... We need bold leadership, and if the President won't lead, we will," asserted Griffin.

"I was befuddled by the fact that his speech largely avoided any mention of the biggest drivers of our debt. Any deficit reduction plan that does not feature ways to save Medicare and Medicaid cannot be considered a credible plan. If we don’t save these critical programs now, America will face a paralyzing debt crisis in short order," said Quayle.

Freshmen Republicans were unsurprisingly united in their disapproval of President Obama's deficit speech. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-IL17) joined the fray this afternoon with a press release making some of the same points - emphasizing again that the United States didn't have a revenue problem, but a spending problem.

To that matter, Schilling criticized President Obama for crossing the line by proposing a tax increase. "One thing is certain - his proposed tax increases on families and small businesses are misguided, and his minimal cuts to government bureaucracy are insufficient," said Schilling.

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives votes on the long term continuing resolution that will fund government until the end of September. The House will then vote on the Ryan budget framework on Friday, after which it is expected to be more carefully detailed in the House Appropriations Committee.

Add Tim on twitter: www.twitter.com/timkmak

Tweet