A coalition of 154 House Republicans led by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) sent a letter today to the co-chairmen of the White House’s debt commission requesting that the chairmen reject the inclusion of a European-style value-added tax (VAT) as part of the final recommendations. This effort follows comments made by Democrat leadership and former Federal Reserve chairman and Obama Administration economic advisor Paul Volcker expressing support and interest in imposing a VAT on the American economy. Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in support of Rep. Pitts and House Republican efforts to block future tax increases on American families.

“It is appalling though not remarkably surprising that our Democrat colleagues’ first inclination when faced with rising deficits under their failed leadership would be to look toward the American people to clean up their mess via a new tax regime,” said Congressman Price. “I am proud to stand with my fellow Republicans and send a message to the American people, the White House, and the Democrat leadership that conservatives believe Washington should get its fiscal house in order by cutting reckless spending. Rather than impose a new job-killing tax burden onto American entrepreneurs, we should be looking for every opportunity to reverse the trend of deficit spending perpetrated by an out-of-control Washington. As our friends in Europe have shown us, a nation cannot tax and spend its way to future prosperity.”