On Taxes, Martin Heinrich Is More Liberal Than President Barack Obama

FACT CHECK

Heinrich Falsely Claims That He’s Fighting For Lower Taxes

Liberal Congressman Martin Heinrich today released a false ad claiming that he’s fighting for lower taxes; yet in Washington Heinrich is actually more liberal than President Obama on the issue of taxes, particularly on small businesses, having led the charge to raise them at every possible opportunity.

Heinrich joined the President in supporting his $1.76 trillion healthcare bill – which through the individual mandate was one of the largest tax increases ever on the middle class – raised taxes on small businesses by $500 billion and slapped medical device manufacturers with an additional 2.3 percent innovation tax.

Heinrich then outdid the President on taxes when he voted against the 2010 tax cut compromise which, had Heinrich and his far-left allies prevailed, would have raised taxes on every single worker and small business in New Mexico.

“Martin Heinrich has spent his entire career in Washington, leading the far-left’s demands for higher taxes and more government spending,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Between his support for government-run healthcare and his efforts to kill the 2010 tax cut compromise, Heinrich’s record on taxes is more liberal than the President of the United States.”        

BACKGROUND … 

FLASHBACK

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS RAISE TAXES IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION.”  (President Obama, Remarks During An Interview With NBC, Elkhart, IN, 8/5/09)

MARTIN HEINRICH SUPPORTED ALL OF THE TAXES IN THE HEALTHCARE LAW 

Heinrich Voted For The Health Care Reform Law. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #165: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president, by a vote of 219-212: R 0-178; D 219-34, 3/21/10, Heinrich Voted Yea)

WALL STREET JOURNAL:  “It is now undeniable that Mr. Obama has imposed the largest tax increase in history on the middle class. Individuals who don’t buy insurance will have to pay several hundred dollars, depending on income. The Congressional Budget Office says that 76% of those who pay the mandate tax will make less than 500% of the federal poverty level, estimated to be $24,000 for a family of four in 2016. That means 76% of the payers will earn less than $120,000 a year.” (Editorial, “It’s Up To The Voters Now,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/28/12) 

AND HEINRICH’S RECORD ON TAXES IS MORE LIBERAL THAN BARACK OBAMA’S

Heinrich Voted Against The Tax Cut Compromise. “Levin, D-Mich., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill that would extend the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts for all taxpayers for two years and revive the lapsed estate tax, setting the tax rate at 35 percent on estates worth more than $5 million for 2011 and 2012. It also would extend unemployment insurance benefits for 13 months and cut the employee portion of the Social Security tax by 2 percentage points.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #647: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president, by a vote of 277-148: R 138-36; D 139-112, 12/17/10, Heinrich Voted Nay)

Heinrich “Strongly Denounced” The Tax Cut Compromise. “Among all members of the delegation, Rep. Martin Heinrich most strongly denounced the tax deal. ‘From what I’ve seen so far, I’m not inclined to support it,’ Heinrich said in a Journal interview. ‘There is a difference between compromise and extortion, and I’m having a real hard time swallowing the fact that congressional Republican leaders are holding up so many things there are broad support for just for these tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Frankly, we can’t afford them.’” (Michael Coleman, “Most of N.M. Delegation Cool To Deal,” Albuquerque Journal, 12/8/10)

Heinrich Did Not Support Extending Tax Cuts For All Americans And Said, “We Can’t Pay Down The Bush Administration’s Debt And Fund Critical Programs Like Medicare And Social Security If We’re Writing Checks For $900 Billion To The Richest Americans . . . .”  “Rep. Heinrich has consistently advocated for securing the future of the middle class and ignoring the temptation to pile on to the deficit as the right thing to do. Rep. Heinrich supports extending middle-class tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year, and opposing Republicans demands to extend tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Rep. Heinrich said last week in a statement, ‘We can’t pay down the Bush administration’s debt and fund critical programs like Medicare and Social Security if we’re writing checks for $900 billion to the richest Americans like Donald Trump and Tiger Woods. Anybody who’s ever balanced a family checkbook can see through the Republicans’ wild claims.’” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich To White House: ‘Don’t Back Down,’” Press Release, 12/8/10)

• Heinrich Opposed Extending Tax Cuts For Those Making Over $250,000. “However, Heinrich said he opposes extending income tax cuts enacted by former President George W. Bush for Americans making more than $250,000 per year.” (Michael Coleman, “A Race Of Contrasts,” Albuquerque Journal, 10/10/10)

Heinrich Signed A Letter To Then-House Speaker Pelosi That Stated Democratic Opposition To The Tax Cut Compromise. “In response to President Obama’s deal on the Bush tax cuts, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich signed a letter initiated by Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to Speaker Pelosi opposing Republican demands to extend tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich To White House: ‘Don’t Back Down,’” Press Release, 12/8/10)

In January Of 2012, Heinrich Again Denounced The Republican Tax Cuts, Claiming They “Have Proven Ineffective At Stimulating Job Growth, And Must Be Ended.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich Statement On President Obama’s State Of The Union Address,” Press Release, 1/24/12)

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