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Washington, D.C. - Ways and Means Ranking Member Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement in response to Vice President Cheney's recent claims on Democratic tax policy:
“I could understand why the Vice President would attack Democrats in this political season, but I think it is unfortunate that there is so much emphasis on partisanship because regardless of who is in control next year, Democrats and Republicans are going to have to come together. Congress will have to work with the Administration to provide real tax relief for middle-income families and find solutions to issues like Social Security and tax reform.
"I could have expressed myself differently in responding to the Vice President, but I truly believe the American people are fed up with this partisanship and Democrats and Republicans need to understand it is in our best interest, and the best interest of this country, for the parties to move beyond political attacks and work toward solutions.”
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Democrats will fight for tax cuts that help middle-income families.
Democrats have fought to pass a bill that Republicans are currently blocking to extend a variety of tax provisions, including tax incentives for:
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3.6 million parents and students to deduct college tuition and other college expenses;
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3.3 million teachers to deduct for personal funds spent on classroom supplies;
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Businesses performing research and development in the United States;
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Earned Income Tax Credit for soldiers in combat; and
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Taxpayers to deduct state and local sales taxes.
A Democratic majority will offer a New Direction for America, and focus on providing middle-class tax relief to help families with the high cost of health care, energy, and
education in the Bush economy.
The facts show that Democrats have consistently fought for middle-class tax cuts:
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The Democratic budget plan for 2006 would have provided $150 billion of new tax relief for middle-income families.
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In 2003, Democrats sought to provide tax cuts for middle-income families, including marriage penalty relief, 10 percent tax rate, and increasing the child tax credit and providing it to more people.
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In 2004, Democrats fought to increase the child tax credit to $1,100, provide more tax relief through marriage penalty relief and the 10 percent rate cut, and exempt all middle-income families from the Alternative Minimum Tax.
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In 2005, Democrats fought for relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax for millions of middle-income families, while House Republicans made tax breaks for the wealthy few the priority.
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Without lifting a finger, the President has already raised taxes on 23 million Americans next year by not addressing the growing reach of the alternative minimum tax.
Democrats will fight to protect against the reckless policies put forth by President Bush's
Tax Reform Panel, including a number of middle-class tax increases, like:
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Dramatic reductions in tax incentives for home ownership;
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Repealing the deduction for state income taxes;
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Repealing the charitable deduction for small contributors; and
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Increasing taxes on health care by taxing a portion of employer-provided health insurance benefits and increasing taxes on families with large health insurance expenses by repealing the deduction for medical expenses.
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