The Washington Post recently fact-checked statements made by the White House in response to Senator Rick Scott’s “Rescue America” plan. The Post’s Glenn Kessler determined the White House’s response was flawed.
Biden claimed that congressional Republicans want to raise taxes on the middle class, but according to Scott, his plan represented his own opinions and did not claim to have Republican support.
The White House made it clear that it would not change its position. White House officials have held firm on their stance but have acknowledged that Senator Scott is the primary supporter of the tax plan.
Kessler chose to watch White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s defense of the White House’s position on Tuesday to determine if the administration’s summation of Scott’s plan was unfair.
In Kessler’s opinion, Psaki’s comments only reinforced his original stance on the matter. Kessler focused on Psaki’s assertion that “most Senate Republicans” support Scott’s bill in his report.
For context: In February, as chairperson of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Scott published a 60-page document titled “12-point plan to rescue America,” containing 128 different policy suggestions.
His economic plan included a point that says, “All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if it’s a small amount.”
Scott claims that half of Americans do not currently pay income tax.
Scott did not provide any specifics regarding his plan and did not offer any proposed language for legislation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents the GOP in the Senate, shot down the idea of releasing a party platform before the midterm elections.
In defense of its position, the White House cited various policy studies that said, “If every taxpayer were required to pay $100, or $1, taxes would increase by over $1,000 for the poorest 40% of Americans,” according to Kessler.
The biggest problem with that talking point is that few Republicans support Scott’s plan. Scott, as well, suggested the line was misinterpreted. He claimed that “working-class Americans” who already pay taxes would see no change in their financial situation.
According to Kessler, Scott tried to change the meaning of his words without officially abandoning his position. Scott had written that all Americans should pay some income tax but now says payroll and sales taxes will suffice.