MADISON –WisDems Chair Mike Tate released the following statement after Senator Ron Johnson voted against allowing a vote on the Buffett Rule, which would ensure that millionaires and billionaires are paying their fair share in taxes, just like middle-class families across the country.
“Today, Senator Johnson made his priorities clear. Instead of standing on the side of tax fairness and middle class Americans, Senator Johnson stood with millionaires and billionaires who are paying a lower percentage of their income in taxes than many middle class American families.
“The Buffett Rule is a simple change to our tax code that is rooted in basic American values: hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded and everyone should do their fair share and play by the same rules. Those values are cherished by all Americans and are at the core of why President Obama believes that America prospers when we’re all in it together.
“Apparently, Senator Johnson does not share those values. He would rather preserve costly tax loopholes for the wealthiest Americans like himself than actually invest in programs that are critical to the economic security of the middle class. The Buffett Rule won’t by itself put America’s fiscal house in order, but it’s a step in the right direction. It sends a clear message that we need to make sure all Americans are paying their fair share and that to create true middle class security, we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. It’s time for Senator Johnson to do the right thing for our country and help us work toward tax fairness where we’re all in this together. The hardworking families of Wisconsin are watching and now they know where Senator Johnson stands – sadly, it’s not on their side.”
