A proposal by congressional Democrats to increase federal cigarette and cigar taxes, while introducing new vape levies, would not break President Joe Biden’s promise not to raise taxes on households earning less than $400,000 a year, according to the White House.
Press secretary Jen Psaki was quick to dismiss questions that the floated revenue stream, which some Democrats claim could raise more than $100 billion over the next decade, would violate Biden’s tax hike pledge.
“No, we don’t,” she told reporters Wednesday.
Psaki declined to say whether the White House supported the idea, instead repeating that it was not an administration pitch. She also distinguished it from a gas or miles traveled tax because public health guidance advises against smoking.
“So that’s not something that we think falls into the same category,” she said.
Psaki attempted to project Biden’s confidence from the podium, saying he was “encouraged” by Democratic progress with negotiations regarding their $3.5 trillion partisan reconciliation package. The measure is expected to pass sweeping social welfare and climate reforms, including universal prekindergarten and tax credits for being environmentally friendly, if liberal and centrist Democrats can agree on its provisions and price tag.
Naomi Lim – Washington Examiner – 2021-09-15.
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