Sander Levin: Taxes Must Be On The Table In Deficit Talks

By Philip Bunnell

During an appearance at the Center for American Progress Friday, Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) acknowledged  that there needs to be serious spending cuts, but repeatedly said that some tax increases on the wealthy should be part of any serious deficit reduction plan.

Levin was also very critical of the implications of the Republican proposal. The Michigan Democrat accused the GOP of trying to “rig” tax reform and make the Bush tax cuts permanent by fixing tax revenue at 18-19% of GDP.  Levin pointed out that, “during the 5 years we have had a balanced budget since World War II, revenues have averaged 20% of GDP.”

Republican legislators have indicated that they are not open to increasing taxes on any Americans to cut the deficit. Levin’s statements show that the upcoming talks on cutting the debt will continue to be starkly divided by political lines.