(Washington) The House of Representatives today passed a budget that includes the largest tax increase in history and an 8.8 percent increase ($82 billion) in non-emergency discretionary spending. U.S. Congressman Sam Graves voted against the budget and blasted the proposal as fiscally irresponsible.

 

“Increasing taxes on Missourians is simply the wrong thing to do for an ailing economy,” said Graves. “In order to stimulate the economy we need to let Missourians spend more of their own money.”

 

The Democratic budget would raise taxes by $683 billion over 5 years. The increase is three times larger than the largest tax increase enacted to date. In 1993, President Bill Clinton raised taxes by $240 Billion. Tax increases include an increase in the marginal rates, elimination of the 10 percent bracket for low income individuals and higher taxes on marriage, children, small businesses, death and investments.

 

Nationwide 116 million taxpayers would pay more in taxes. One study showed that the average Missouri taxpayer would pay $2,825 more in taxes per year.

 

“Missourians are already over-taxed,” said Graves. “This budget will hit middle class very hard. We shouldn’t be balancing the budget on the backs of the middle class.”

 

The budget also calls for an astonishing 8.8 percent increase in non-emergency discretionary spending. It also spends money in “advance appropriations” of $2 billion dollars. This money is spent in advance and is exempt from budget rules. Graves said a balanced budget amendment is needed in Washington.

 

“In Missouri, we balance our checkbook,” said Graves. “Washington needs to tighten its belt and bring fiscal sanity back to the nation’s capitol. We were sent here to make tough choices, yet the majority has chosen to pass our debts on to our children.”

 

The budget resolution serves as the starting point as Congress begins to consider spending bills. Graves has vowed to continue fighting the tax and spending increases.

 

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