Washington, DC – Seventy-two House Republicans, led by Congressman Patrick McHenry, sent a letter to the members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction today urging them not to raise taxes.

“Tax increases aren’t going to get our economy back on the right track,” McHenry stated.  “We need real solutions to address runaway spending.  Raising taxes will only further damage the economy, discourage private sector investment, and hurt Americans struggling to make ends meet.”

Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan added, “Cutting back the national debt will require stronger private sector job growth and less government spending. Raising taxes would just take us further away from both goals.”

The full text of the letter is included below.

Dear Representative Hensarling, Senator Murray, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:

It is evident that America has a fiscal crisis because Washington spends too much, not because it taxes too little.  According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, tax revenues will reach or exceed the historical average of 18 percent of economic output by the end of this decade, even as spending continues to increase at an unsustainable rate.  Increasing taxes on Americans would destroy jobs, erase all hope of an economic recovery, and simply serve to feed out-of-control spending in Washington.

Thus, as you continue the important task to reach a deficit reduction agreement, we ask that any policies the Joint Select Committee prescribes not increase Americans’ tax burden.  With current levels of taxation already limiting economic growth, we believe that marginal rates must be maintained or lowered and that repeal of any tax credit or deduction be offset with an equal or greater tax cut. 

Although there are diverse beliefs toward specific policies that should be included in any deficit reduction plan, we must recognize that increasing the tax burden on American businesses and citizens, especially during a fragile recovery, is irresponsible and dangerous to the health of the United States.

Sincerely,

Patrick McHenry
Member of Congress

To view the full list of Members who have signed on to this letter, click here.
To view the letter, click here.

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