WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) made the following statement regarding today’s jobs report:
“Today’s jobs report is both a welcome sign that our economy is headed in the right direction and a signal that there is much more work to be done. It is imperative that Republicans work with Democrats to extend federal unemployment insurance programs and the payroll tax cut. Emergency unemployment insurance has helped millions of families stay afloat during these tough economic times and Republicans must not delay in endorsing a renewal of these vital programs.
“It is unfortunate that Republicans continue to spread falsehoods in their effort to protect the very highest earners from paying their fair share toward addressing our deficit. Ninety-nine percent of small businesses would not be affected by a surtax on income over $1 million. In claiming otherwise, Republicans have made their priorities clear: they are putting the interests of the wealthiest Americans above those of middle-income earners."
FACT CHECK:
* Treasury Department report shows that a surtax on millionaires would not affect 99 percent of small businesses (see page 36).
* Tax Policy Center analysis shows that a surtax on millionaires would not affect 99 percent of small businesses.
