WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the House Republican budget proposal:
“The Republican budget proposal on taxes is a dangerous dodge, with only one thing clear: It would end up showering benefits on the very wealthy and soaking the middle class.
“The only way to cut the top tax rate to 25 percent is to essentially end the tax deductions for health care coverage, mortgage interest expenses and charitable contributions, even as Republicans would keep the temporary lower rates for capital gains and dividends that mainly benefit very high-income taxpayers.
“Under the guise of deficit reduction, Republicans are again attempting to end the Medicare guarantee and shift costs to seniors and people with disabilities.
“House Republicans just don’t get it. Medicare is a 47-year-old commitment to seniors that Democrats refuse do away with. Ending it will not bring down health costs, but in fact add to the problem - all the while significantly raising costs for American seniors."
