A copy of the report is published here.
]]>“Providing dental coverage to Purple Heart veterans is the right thing to do,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “Offering this basic health service sends a message to veterans as well, as current servicemembers, that we honor their sacrifices. Our nation’s veterans are contending with unacceptable levels of unemployment, and unsightly dental problems can be a barrier to finding a job. Regular visits to a dentist could help these heroes get hired and prevent more serious health problems from developing. Our brave men and women wounded by the enemy deserve this basic health coverage,” Baldwin said.
Each year, thousands of American veterans with disabilities are forced to pay for dental coverage out of their own pockets, or forgo it altogether. Currently, only former POWs, veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, or the chronically homeless qualify for comprehensive dental coverage through the VA.
“As a former Army combat medic in Vietnam and a dentist involved with many veterans’ organizations, I want to thank Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for sponsoring the Make our Veterans Smile Act,” said Dr. John Hofer, CDR (ret) USNR and Chair, Dane County Veterans Service Commission. “I believe that this bill can correct a longstanding, overlooked inequity for our wounded veterans. By providing all Purple Heart recipients VA dental care, this bill corrects an eligibility benefit that they certainly have earned from combat wounds they received while defending our country,” Dr. Hofer said.
]]>Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) today introduced legislation to improve programs that provide employment and job training preparation for separating servicemembers.
The Veterans Jobs Act (H.R. 5712) builds on existing transition assistance programs operated by the Department of Labor in cooperation with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) offer a multi-day workshop conducted at military installations to help veterans look for jobs, prepare resumes, and learn interview techniques. The Veterans Jobs Act authorizes a pilot program that would allow local business leaders to act as mentors for separating servicemembers going through those programs.
“In this economy, creating jobs for all who want them must be our first priority, and our veterans deserve to be at the top of the list,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “Local business leaders can offer invaluable, ongoing support to troops re-entering the civilian workforce. In many parts of the country, they’re an untapped resource we should develop,” Baldwin said.
“Unemployment continues at stubbornly high rates for all Americans, but it remains particularly high among our servicemembers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Kinzinger. “Servicemembers receive some of the best training across a range of jobs and are born leaders. Far too often, however, they have difficulty translating their skills and experience into the civilian workforce. Working with local business leaders to provide insight and assistance on how best to market their skills is a no-brainer.” Kinzinger said.
“After our veterans have fought for us so valiantly, they deserve to have a smooth transition back into their communities,” said Congressman Reichert. “What better way to assist them than to involve business leaders from those very communities? By bringing the right people together, we can create opportunities that ensure success for our heroes and their hometowns,” Reichert said.
The statistics on joblessness among veterans are improving, but remain unacceptable. The unemployment rate for all veterans was 7.1 percent in April 2012 and the jobless rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans was 9.2 percent. In Wisconsin, the unemployment rate for veterans is 15%, in Illinois, 9.5%, and in Washington, 10.3 %.
“Employment is one of the VFW priority goals for 2012,” said Stephen Pepper, Veteran's of Foreign Wars, Department of Wisconsin, Iraq/Afghanistan National Veterans Committee. “The Veterans Jobs Act will help prepare separating servicemembers for the job market and develop relationships with would-be mentors. In turn, employers will hire people they know to be reliable and right for the position. I am grateful to Congresswoman Baldwin and Congressmen Kinzinger and Reichert for sponsoring this important legislation and look forward to working with them to advance it,” Pepper said.
]]>
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today voted to reauthorize the U.S. Export–Import Bank (Ex-Im) and to provide it with the resources it needs to help American businesses increase exports and create jobs. The bill, which passed the House on a vote of 330-93, enjoys broad support from business and labor.
“Increasing U.S. exports are an important way to encourage job creation and grow our economy,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “The Ex-Im Bank has a strong track record of helping businesses expand foreign sales. Since 2007, the bank has aided 144 Wisconsin companies, including 88 small businesses, supporting export sales in excess of $1 billion,” Baldwin said.
The Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the United States. The legislation passed today reauthorizes the bank and ends uncertainty for businesses, while providing the resources needed to keep American exporters competitive.
Foreign governments are aggressively supporting their countries’ exports with an estimated $1 trillion in export finance. “The U.S. must act to level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers and the Ex-Im Bank is one of the tools in our toolbox to help keep U.S. businesses competitive in the global market,” Baldwin said. Last year alone, financing from the -Ex-Im Bank helped 3,600 private companies add close to 300,000 jobs across the country. More than 85 percent of these transactions supported small and medium-sized businesses.
Congresswoman Baldwin has been a strong supporter of the Ex-Im Bank and has hosted seminars around her district to encourage businesses to take advantage of the Bank’s export assistance.
In 2010, Ex-Im Chairman Fred Hochberg came to Wisconsin at Baldwin’s request to meet with state businesses that could benefit from the agency’s assistance.
“As Wisconsin businesses face competition—sometimes unfair competition—from countries like China, increasing exports to nations around the world is vital. The Ex-Im Bank plays a critical role in aiding American business,” Baldwin said.
Ex-Im Bank does not compete with private sector lenders, but provides export financing that fills gaps in trade financing. It assumes credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. Additionally, in the past five years, the self-sustaining Ex-Im Bank has generated $1.9 billion for U.S. taxpayers.
]]>The End Abuse in Later Life Act (H.R. 4979) reauthorizes a program in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that supports a comprehensive, community-driven, approach to elder abuse. The legislation will enhance existing direct services for older victims and increase the eligible partners who can participate in multidisciplinary training programs.
“Elder abuse is a growing epidemic and we know that the vast majority of elder abuse incidents are not reported,” said Congresswoman Baldwin, who worked closely with the Wisconsin-based National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life in drafting the legislation.
“With 77 million baby boomers aging, dementia on the rise, and caregiver shortages looming, the growing crisis of elder abuse has significant implications for the health, well-being and economic security of millions of Americans. I am proud to work with advocates from Wisconsin to call attention to elder abuse and continue fighting on behalf of our most vulnerable seniors,” Baldwin said.
Congresswoman Baldwin has long championed a targeted initiative to ending elder abuse through VAWA. When VAWA was reauthorized in 2002, she successfully advocated for separate funding for victims of elder abuse. Baldwin introduced the End Abuse in Later Life Act as Congress begins the 2012 VAWA reauthorization process.
“Congresswoman Baldwin introduced the original language to create the Abuse in Later Life program that supports training, collaboration and victim services for older victims,” said Bonnie Brandl, Director of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life. “Congresswoman Baldwin has been an amazing champion for older victims by supporting the Abuse in Later Life program,” Brandl said.
“It is critical that the federal government allocate sufficient resources towards ending the widespread and growing epidemic of elder abuse,” said Jewish Women International Executive Director Lori Weinstein. “Jewish Women International applauds Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for introducing a strong piece of legislation that will improve existing federal grant programs that prevent and address violence against women throughout their lifespan,” Weinstein said.
The End Abuse in Later Life Act was included in the larger Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 4271) and the Senate’s VAWA reauthorization measure (S. 1925) that passed the Senate in April. In the Senate, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) authored the companion legislation, which has bipartisan support.
Baldwin’s End Abuse in Later Life Act has not been included in the Republican-authored VAWA reauthorization bill (H.R. 4970), which is expected to be taken up in the House this month.
Following the heinous, terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress approved, and I supported, the use of military force in Afghanistan against the perpetrators of those attacks and those who harbored them.
That mission was accomplished years ago by the courageous men and women of our armed forces who paid a heavy price for a war that has continued far too long. We owe our servicemembers and their families a tremendous debt of gratitude for their sacrifices. We also owe them a full measure of respect and dedication to their health and well-being on their return home. This includes ensuring access to job training, employment and housing as well as comprehensive medical care and counseling.
The President reiterated his commitment to end U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan and bring combat troops home by 2014. He also announced a commitment to a continued American military presence in Afghanistan for an additional 10 years to support Afghan security, training and development. I do not support extending our military presence in Afghanistan.
Our nation continues to face great economic challenges. It is time to bring our troops home safely as soon as possible and redirect the roughly $2 billion we spend in Afghanistan each week to balance our budget and strengthen our own economy.”
]]>
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin praised new grants announced today, made possible by the health care reform law, that will help build, expand and improve community health centers in Wisconsin and nationwide.
Access Community Health Centers, serving people in Dane and Iowa counties, Wisconsin, will receive $3 million to help build a new facility in South Madison that will include expanded medical and behavioral health capacity, a large dental clinic, and low cost pharmacy services. "We greatly appreciate that this provision in the Affordable Care Act will allow us to care for thousands more people, many of whom are unable to access medical, dental and behavioral health services," said Dr. Ken Loving, CEO, Access Community Health Centers. "We are especially grateful for Representative Baldwin's leadership, and her long-term support for community health centers like Access that care for many of the most vulnerable members of our society," Loving said.
"Community health centers provide essential health services to children and families who lack insurance and have extremely limited incomes," said Congresswoman Baldwin, who was a forceful advocate for this competitive grant program. "By increasing access to primary care, we can help prevent more acute conditions that require much more extensive and expensive treatment. This is just one more example of how reforms in the Affordable Care Act are strengthening families and communities, creating jobs and saving us money in the long run," Baldwin said.
Grants from the Affordable Care Act will support 398 renovation and construction projects, boosting health centers ability to care for additional patients and creating jobs.
Since the beginning of 2009, employment at community health centers nationwide has increased by 15 percent. Through the Affordable Care Act and the Recovery Act, community health centers are serving nearly 3 million additional patients today and will serve an additional 1.3 million new patients in the next two years.
Other Wisconsin facilities receiving a grant today are: Family Health Center of Marshfield, $4,397,473; Progressive Community Health Centers, Milwaukee, $5,000,000; Primary Connection Health Care, Wausau, $3,388,931; and Healthcare for the Homeless of Milwaukee, $348,853.
]]>
The letter, sent to Secretary of Commerce John Bryson and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commission David Aguilar, requests a detailed response on how the failure to collect countervailing duties over the past decade has harmed Wisconsin manufacturers, and asks what Congressional action is needed to immediately correct the situation.
According to the Government Accountability Office, as of 2001, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been unable to collect at least $1 billion owed in anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed to combat damaging and unfair foreign trade practices.
The report reveals that the uncollected duties are highly concentrated among a few industries and that imports from China account for more than 80 percent of the total uncollected trade duties. Along with the U.S. losing more than $1 billion in federal revenue over the past ten years, China and other countries that cheat and unfairly subsidize their industries have gotten away with circumventing U.S. trade laws.
“American manufacturers deserve our full support in combating China’s relentless pattern of international trade law violations,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “I believe we must use all of the trade enforcement tools available to us to not only collect the duties owed, but ensure that American businesses and workers compete on a level playing field. Failing to collect $1 billion in trade duties over the past ten years is damaging to our manufacturing base and likely to lead to the loss of American jobs. American taxpayers deserve justice,” Baldwin said.
In the paper sector alone, China provided more than $33 billion in subsidies from 2002 to 2009 and, during that period, overtook the U.S. as the world’s largest producer of paper and paper products. American companies in these and other sectors rely on the countervailing duty orders in place to combat these illicit subsidies and help them keep their doors open.
Moreover, U.S. companies collectively spend millions of dollars to initiate and litigate these types of trade cases to keep illegally subsidized imports from entering the U.S. market, fully expecting positive determinations to result in funds collected by CBP.
In Wisconsin, several industries have countervailing duties in place against subsidized Chinese imports, ranging from paper to pressure pipe to wood flooring. In the pulp and paper industry, Wisconsin manufacturers that directly benefit from these tariffs include NewPage Corporation (Biron, Stevens Point, Whiting, and Wisconsin Rapids), Appleton Coated LLC (Kimberly), Felker Brothers Corp. (Marshfield), Coating Excellence International, LLC (Wrightstown), Appleton, Inc. (Appleton), Award Hardwood Floors (Wausau), and From the Forest (Weston).
When enforced, trade duties on Chinese imports can create jobs in the U.S. It’s been reported that, in the past five years, more Chinese manufacturers have opened plants in the U.S. as a result of this level playing field.
Baldwin’s letter is part of a larger battle she’s waging against unfair trade practices by the Chinese government. This year, she introduced with Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) the China CHEATS Act to protect Wisconsin paper manufacturers, which was incorporated into legislation that is now law.
“I became aware of the seriousness and scope of fraud targeting seniors when I helped my own grandmother in her later years,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “These crimes can have severe financial and emotional consequences for older Americans and their families. My bill will educate the public, seniors, their families, and their caregivers on how to identify and combat fraudulent activity,” Baldwin said.
Although it is difficult to estimate the prevalence of fraud targeting seniors due to severe under-reporting, millions of senior Americans have fallen victim to financial exploitation, including mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud.
The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) estimates that more than 38,000 seniors in Wisconsin were victims of financial exploitation in 2011. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the most common category of consumer complaint last year was telemarketing and the fastest rising category was identity theft, which can involve telephone, mail or Internet fraud.
The daughter of one such victim contacted Congresswoman Baldwin, desperate to stop fraudulent calls to her mother. Nina Kurt of Dane, Wisconsin reported that her elderly mother in Waunakee had been convinced by one caller to write a $3,000 check.
Fortunately, Nina’s mother did not send that check, but the calls continued, some from as far away as Kingston, Jamaica. Nina believes that one aggressive scam artist sold her mother’s phone number to others.
“How many elders are out there being preyed on by these people?” Nina asked. “These people are ruthless…They don’t give up. They haunt them with their calls…I am told this is the type of harassment that elderly people have to put up with. Is there anything I can do to help make this stop?” Nina pleaded.
Baldwin’s bill would help put a stop to mail, Internet, and telemarketing scams like those targeted at Nina Kurt’s elderly mother. The Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2012:
According to a 2009 report by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, the annual financial loss by victims of senior financial abuse is estimated to be at least $2.6 billion. In 2007, postal inspectors investigated almost 3,000 mail fraud cases in the U.S. and arrested more than 1,200 mail fraud suspects. Further, the FBI has confirmed that criminals are modifying their targeting techniques to include online scams such as “phishing” and e-mail spamming.
"Fraud targeting seniors, such as the 'Grandma scam', is particularly despicable," said John Hendrick, Attorney, CWAG Elder Financial Empowerment Project. "The Senior Financial Empowerment Act would provide much needed help for Wisconsin's older adults against the ever-changing variety of Internet, mail and telemarketing fraud. We applaud Congresswoman Baldwin’s work on this issue because we need the tools to stop this epidemic,” Hendrick said.
In a letter of support for the legislation, Robert Blancato, National Coordinator of the non-partisan, 705 member Elder Justice Coalition, called the bill a much-needed tool in the fight against elder abuse. A copy of that letter may be found here.
“Representative Baldwin is one of the foremost champions of elder justice in Congress,” said Blancato. “Financial abuse, including the newest form, Internet abuse, costs seniors billions a year and must be addressed. Enacting this bill is one key solution,” Blancato said.
In the last session of Congress, Baldwin’s Senior Financial Empowerment Act was passed by the House, but the Senate did not take it up.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Kind and U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl today lauded a rule modification by the Treasury Department that prevents massive retirements among Wisconsin public safety employees.
“The Treasury Department has listened and done right by Wisconsin’s police officers and fire fighters,” said Baldwin. “We owe it to our public safety officers and their families to ensure a fair retirement that honors the dangers they face at work,” she added.
“This is a big win for Wisconsin,” said Kind. “I’ve been working to ensure a fair retirement for our public safety officers and their families for some time and, with the support of Rep. Baldwin, even introduced a bill to fix this issue. I’m pleased that Treasury was able to resolve this issue quickly and we did not have to move forward with a legislative fix.”
“This is a huge relief for communities across Wisconsin,” Kohl said. “This keeps our police officers and fire fighters on the job and allows them to retire when they want to.”
Unlike other states, all of Wisconsin’s state employees – including public safety workers – are covered under the same retirement system. Currently, Wisconsin’s public safety employees, such as police officers and fire fighters, can retire at age 53 with 25 years of service or at age 54 with less than 25 years of service.
Public safety officials were concerned that Treasury regulations going into effect January 1, 2013 would set a single normal retirement age (NRA) somewhere between the ages of 55 and 62 for all workers within the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Because of the possible change, many public safety workers were contemplating retirement before year’s end.
“This decision will ensure safer communities because hundreds of officers who may have been forced to retire prematurely will now remain actively serving,” said Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney. “I wholeheartedly thank Reps. Baldwin and Kind, and Sen. Kohl, for their direct involvement in providing for a safer Wisconsin,” Mahoney said.
Kohl and Baldwin have been working to resolve this issue for many months, culminating in a letter sent to the Treasury Department last month urging a quick resolution of the issue. In addition, Kind authored and introduced legislation in the House of Representatives in October of 2011 to address this issue legislatively.
Specifically, Treasury agreed with an analysis by the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds that the new regulations should not apply to WRS because employees do not receive retirement benefits while they are still working. Secondly, the Treasury Department also recognized the unique nature of Wisconsin’s retirement system allowing for the current retirement ages for public safety employees. Finally, Treasury announced that it would delay the effective date for state and local government plans until no earlier than January 1, 2015.
The rule modifications can be found here.
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.”
View a copy of Baldwin's letter here.
More on Baldwin's legislation, the Paying a Fair Share Act, here.
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today voted in support of a Democratic budget plan focused on job creation, economic growth, and a balanced approach to deficit reduction. The Democratic Budget was offered as an alternative to the Ryan Budget which would end the guarantee of Medicare and undermine job creation initiatives.
“Our nation’s budget is a statement of our priorities and values,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “My test for a budget proposal is whether it is good for middle class Wisconsin families. The Ryan Budget fails that test. In these challenging economic times, our highest priority must be job creation and economic growth. I support a balanced approach to meet our nation’s fiscal challenges. We must preserve the Medicare guarantee, provide tax relief for working families, and make the investments necessary to keep our country moving forward,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin blasted the Ryan proposal which was adopted on a largely party line vote (228-191). The Ryan Budget ends the guarantee of Medicare and replaces it with a plan that would provide vouchers for the purchase of insurance that would not keep pace with rising medical costs.
“Medicare is a great American success story. It guarantees that seniors are not bankrupted by medical bills or denied coverage when they most need it. We should ensure that guarantee for future generations, not deny it,” Baldwin said.
The Ryan Budget would also make deep cuts to non-defense spending. His plan calls for cuts of $879 billion, but does not specify where those cuts would be made. If made across the board, it would require deep cuts in student loans and slash investments in scientific and medical research.
The Ryan plan also includes the elimination of unspecified tax deductions which could extend to many deductions relied upon by middle class families, including those for mortgage interest and charitable contributions. By not specifying these cuts, the Ryan Budget hides its true impact on Wisconsin’s middle class families. Yet, it would extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest and provide an additional tax break to those earning the most.
The Democratic Budget alternative included investments in infrastructure, tax credits for job creation, and initiatives to promote the hiring of teachers, first responders, and veterans that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs. It would have invested in expanding life-saving medical research, strengthening innovative manufacturing, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
The Democratic Budget would have instituted the “Buffett Rule” to require millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes. Small businesses would also have gained increased access to Small Business Administration loans under the Democratic plan.
It also would have prevented an increase in the interest rate for some student loans. The Ryan Budget will allow the Stafford Loan interest rate to double, from 3.4 to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012. Congresswoman Baldwin had offered an amendment to the Ryan Budget to keep the loan rate as it is, but her amendment was blocked.
Baldwin said, “I supported a budget that cuts government spending without hurting Wisconsin’s middle class. Today we are spending $2 billion a day in Afghanistan. Our Democratic Budget would end our involvement there and redirect those resources to bring down our nation’s deficit.”
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin today joined more than 100 of her House colleagues in cosponsoring a bipartisan transportation bill (H.R. 14) that passed the Senate with a strong vote of 74-22 earlier this month. Twenty-two Republican Senators joined all of their Democratic colleagues in passing the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to help rebuild America's crumbling roads and bridges, and create thousands of jobs in all fifty states.
If the House does not pass the Senate bill by March 31st, federal highway and transit aid would be shut off to Wisconsin and other states just as construction season begins. Thousands of road projects would come to a halt putting more than 1.5 million jobs at risk nationwide. Under the bipartisan MAP-21 legislation, nearly 28,000 jobs would be created or saved in Wisconsin alone. Nationwide, almost 3 million jobs would be supported.
“Creating jobs and improving our bridge and highway infrastructure are two national priorities that go hand in hand,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “MAP-21 has bipartisan support to address both those needs. The deadline is fast approaching. This should be a no-brainer. There is no reason to play partisan games when people’s jobs and public safety are on the line. I call on the House Republican leadership to do what’s best for the country and support this measure to get us moving ahead,” Baldwin said.
A transportation bill introduced by House Republicans (H.R. 7) is stalled. That plan would return Wisconsin to a donor status, whereby federal gas tax dollars generated in Wisconsin would be sent to other states to cover their transportation needs. Over the life of the House Republican bill, Wisconsin would take a devastating $620 million cut to its highway program. In addition, Wisconsin would be one of only five states that would not receive an increase in annual funding over the life of the bill.
]]>Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) budget amendment that would have instituted the “Buffett Rule” and prevented a sharp increase in a student loan interest rate was blocked today in the House by the Republican-controlled Rules Committee.
Unless Congress acts, the federally-subsidized Stafford Loan interest rate will double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012. The Republican budget proposal, authored by Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, would allow this increase to take effect. Baldwin’s amendment to the budget proposal would prevent the scheduled increase in the Stafford Loan interest rate for Fiscal Years 2013 through 2022. It would offset the cost by implementing the “Buffett Rule” to require millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes. The amendment is fully paid for and would reduce the deficit by an additional $10 billion dollars over ten years.
“Budgets reflect our nation’s priorities and values,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “The Ryan budget provides tax breaks for the very wealthiest while imposing an additional burden on those who can afford it the least - recent college graduates entering a difficult job market. My amendment will fix this gross inequity and reflects the values and priorities of middle class Wisconsin families,” she said.
Student loan debt now averages $25,000 per student and 8 million students would be affected by this increase. In addition, total student loan debt recently surpassed total credit card debt for the first time in American history.
In her testimony to the committee, Baldwin said “Not everyone in our nation is struggling, however. In recent years, income for the wealthiest one percent of Americans has skyrocketed. Yet, under our current tax code a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. The most famous example of this is billionaire Warren Buffett paying a lower tax rate than his secretary. As President Obama has stated, this isn’t class warfare. This is common sense. It is about shared responsibility.”
]]>