U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after President Obama proposed $1.5 trillion in new taxes:
"Broad-based tax reform holds enormous potential to boost U.S. competitiveness, create jobs, and generate revenues through economic growth. By eliminating gimmicks and lowering the tax rate, we can create a system that rewards innovation instead of clever accounting. But to accomplish these goals, we have to enact a tax policy guided by sound economic principles, not party politics.
"If the goal is job creation, vastly increasing taxes on job creators and investments during a recession is just irresponsible. The President seems more focused on 2012 than creating jobs, so now it's up to Congress and the Joint Deficit Committee, and I stand ready to work with my colleagues to make the tough choices needed to restore economic growth."