Even as the White House insists President Barack Obama is very interested in raising taxes via executive action, a congressman from Florida offered a constitutional law lesson on which branch of government has that power.
Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, was asked Monday about U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., proposal for Obama to use executive action to raise taxes by $100 billion.
"The president certainly has not indicated any reticence in using his executive authority to try and advance an agenda that benefits middle-class Americans," Earnest replied, though he added he did not want to leave you with the impression that there is some imminent announcement; there is not, at least that I know of.
The president has asked his team to examine the array of executive authorities that are available to him to try to make progress on his goals, Earnest added. So I am not in a position to talk in any detail at this point, but the president is very interested in this avenue generally.
That wasnt enough for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., the only representative from Florida who sits on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, which has the authority to handle taxation.
Buchanan sent a letter to Obama on Thursday, reminding the president the Constitution gives Congress, not the executive branch, the power to tax.
I am writing to express my strongest possible objection at reports that you are very interested in raising taxes through executive action, Buchanan wrote. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution is clear on this matter -- only Congress has the power to tax. The statement by your press secretary this week that you are very interested in reshaping the tax code through unilateral action would be a clear violation of the Constitution and continue a disturbing lack of bipartisanship.
As a senior member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, I stand ready to work with your administration on a bipartisan plan to lower rates and simplify the tax code, Buchanan added. I remind you that the last successful tax reform effort, nearly 30 years ago, required President Reagan and a Democratic Congress to find common ground. But unilateral action could poison the well of goodwill that is necessary to tackle this urgent challenge in a bipartisan manner.
Our international tax system is in desperate need of reform, Buchanan continued. U.S. companies face stiff competition from foreign firms, our national debt has grown to more than $18 trillion, and we have too few good-paying jobs for American workers. Addressing these issues has to be the guiding principle for international tax reform.
We need to fundamentally reform our tax code to make America more competitive, Buchanan wrote in closing. We may have different opinions about specific elements of such reform. But by working together to find common ground, we can ensure that all Americans reap the benefits of tax reform.
Buchanan has been mentioned as a possible U.S. Senate candidate in 2016 if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., decides to forego a second term and run for the presidency.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
