The Washington Post called out President Joe Biden for falsely claiming that congressional Republicans want to raise taxes on middle class families.
On Monday, Biden tweeted, “After their massive tax giveaway to the super-wealthy and giant corporations in 2017, Congressional Republicans now want to raise taxes on middle class families.”
He added, “I won’t let that happen.”
After their massive tax giveaway to the super-wealthy and giant corporations in 2017, Congressional Republicans now want to raise taxes on middle class families.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 19, 2022
I won’t let that happen. pic.twitter.com/lcIdDb0uOz
The White House Twitter account later added, “Under the Congressional Republican Tax Plan: -$100 billion will be taken out of the hands of middle class families each year -24 million families of seniors making less than $100,000 per year would face tax increases.”
Under the Congressional Republican Tax Plan:
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 19, 2022
-$100 billion will be taken out of the hands of middle class families each year
-24 million families of seniors making less than $100,000 per year would face tax increases
The Post’s Glenn Kessler mentioned a comment made by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during a press briefing in a piece titled, “Biden’s false claim that ‘congressional Republicans’ want to raise taxes.”
“The congressional Republican plan, however, as Senator Rick Scott outlined … now, led by Senator Scott, Republicans want to raise taxes on the middle class,” Psaki said.
Kessler noted Scott is chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
Still, Kessler asked, “Is it fair to say he represents the views of congressional Republicans?”
The piece mentions Scott’s “11-point plan to rescue America.”
It includes the statement, “All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount. Currently over half of Americans pay no income tax.”
The Post points out Scott did not provide details on his plan and offered no proposal for legislative language.
According to Kessler, Scott has been “left on a policy island.”
He explained, “As far as we can tell, not a single other Republican in Congress has embraced Scott’s specific tax proposal.”
Additionally, the piece recognized other GOP leaders have criticized Scott for the plan.
Responding to the criticism, Scott told The Hill, “This is what Rick Scott believes in, it’s not the Republican plan. I was very clear that it’s Rick Scott’s policy ideas. It’s nobody else’s policy ideas.”
White House spokesman Michael J. Gwin issued a statement on the use of the term “congressional Republicans.”
“Senator Scott is a member of Republican Congressional leadership and released a plan which he made clear was an agenda for the Republican Senate going forward, to raise taxes on half of all Americans,” Gwin said.
Concluding the analysis, Kessler suggested the White House is “pushing its luck here.”
He continued, “Scott is a Republican, and he is in Congress and part of the GOP leadership. But his snippet of an idea, such as it is, cannot be labeled a ‘congressional Republican’ plan.”
The fact-checker argued, “No legislation has been crafted, and no other Republican lawmakers have announced their support. One cannot instantly assume every person in a political party supports a proposal by a prominent member.”
He added, “The White House earns Three Pinocchios.”
