Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today called on House leaders to bring her legislation to the floor to enact the Buffett Rule. The Paying a Fair Share Act (H.R. 3903), authored by Baldwin, would ensure that middle class workers do not pay a higher tax rate than those earning more than $1 million a year. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that the Senate will vote on tax day, April 16, on the Senate bill to enact the Buffett Rule (S. 2230), authored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
In her letter to House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Baldwin wrote " middle class Americans deserve to know that our tax system has not been rigged against them. . . .Our current tax code has been influenced by powerful special interests and includes loopholes and special provisions that allow approximately a quarter of all millionaires to pay lower effective tax rates than middle class families."
The problem of the very wealthiest Americans paying a lower rate than middle class workers was brought to the nation's attention by billionaire investor Warren Buffett who in 2010 earned over $62 million and paid an effective tax rate of just over 11 percent. Buffett has noted for years that his secretary pays a higher tax rate than he does.
In calling for an up or down vote, Baldwin told House leadership "The American people deserve to know where their Representatives stand on this critical opportunity to restore fairness in our tax system."
April 9, 2012
The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker of the House
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Minority Leader of the House
H-204 U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Eric Cantor
Majority Leader of the House
H-204 U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Minority Whip of the House
H-204 U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Dear House Leadership:
I write to urge you to bring legislation to enact the Buffett Rule to the House floor for an up or down vote. I introduced legislation- the Paying a Fair Share Act, H.R. 3903- to make the Buffett Rule law and restore fairness to our tax system.
As tax day quickly approaches, middle class Americans deserve to know that our tax system has not been rigged against them. The Paying a Fair Share Act would ensure that middle class workers do not pay a higher tax rate than those earning more than $1 million a year. This common-sense solution would address the disparity that has resulted in Warren Buffett's secretary paying a higher tax rate than he.
Our current tax code has been influenced by powerful special interests and includes loopholes and special provisions that allow approximately a quarter of all millionaires to pay lower effective tax rates than middle class families. The Paying a Fair Share Act offers a first step in strengthening our middle class and rebuilding our economy with a commitment to shared responsibility. The bill would also offset the deficit by tens of billions of dollars.
The American people deserve to know where their Representatives stand of this critical opportunity to restore fairness in our tax system. The Senate plans to take this bill up for a vote when Congress goes back into session. I strongly urge you to follow suit and bring the Paying a Fair Share Act to the House floor for a simple up or down vote.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tammy Baldwin
Member of Congress