Despite being cited by President Barack Obama in the State of the Union address on Tuesday night, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said he had major differences with the White House on the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Obama mentioned the Florida Republican in the State of the Union address and said there was common ground between them over the Earned Income Tax Credit.
There are other steps we can take to help families make ends meet, and few are more effective at reducing inequality and helping families pull themselves up through hard work than the Earned Income Tax Credit, Obama said. Right now, it helps about half of all parents at some point. But I agree with Republicans like Senator Rubio that it doesnt do enough for single workers who dont have kids. So lets work together to strengthen the credit, reward work, and help more Americans get ahead.
Rubio appeared on Michael Medveds national radio talk show Wednesday to quickly clear up their positions.
I believe that Senator Rubio was the only Republican who was mentioned by name in the presidents speech last night, Medved said. He referred to Speaker Boehner who was standing right behind him, but didnt mention his name. He did mention the name Marco Rubio. What did you think when that happened, senator?
Rubio believes Obama was right to bring up the issue but contends there are differences between where they stand on the matter.
I think its important the issue hes identifying, we just have a different idea about how to do it, Rubio said. Hes talking about people that, Theyre struggling to get ahead in our economy because of low wages. And his idea is to expand the existing Earned Income Tax Credit to reach those folks.
The problem I have with that is that the Earned Income Tax Credit, as its currently structured ... is not the best way to deliver that assistance. And secondly, its filled with fraud, Rubio continued. Weve seen instances now of multiple cases of fraudulent behavior, people accessing that tax credit through fraud. So the proposal we have, that weve proposed, called the Wage Enhancement, is a better way to deliver the same benefit and we hope that well move in that direction. So, I think weve identified the same issue, but his prescription for it seems to be more of the same. And thats problematic.
Despite Obama saying he agreed with Rubio on the issue, the Florida Republican had harsh words for the State of the Union address in general.
Americans deserve more opportunities to achieve a better life, and thats going to require a free-enterprise economy thats creating more middle class jobs and a government with less debt, Rubio said Tuesday night after the president's speech. While the president discussed some areas of common interest, the heart of his 2014 agenda is clearly more about working alone than with the American peoples representatives on the major reforms we need.
President Obama missed an opportunity on several fronts, especially by insisting that Washington keep spending more money than it takes in, keep dictating to entrepreneurs how to run their businesses, and failing to level with the American people about how we can save our retirement programs, Rubio added. We need a real opportunity agenda that helps people seize the enormous potential that the coming years hold.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
