US President Joe Biden previously met criticism from Republicans and some Democrats regarding his proposal to increase taxes on the wealthy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently defended Biden’s proposal, noting the tax cuts the Republicans gave in the previous administration.
In an interview with MSNBC, Pelosi blasted the Republican lawmakers for criticizing Biden’s tax hike. The House Speaker cited the 2017 tax cut that the GOP-controlled Senate passed, bringing the deficit up to $2 trillion. Pelosi’s comments come after Biden unveiled his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan during his first address to Congress this week.
“We’re on a better path for the people. What he is talking about is exactly just to reverse some of what the Republicans did in their tax scam where they added almost $2 trillion to the national debt, if you include the cost and interest on the debt, to give tax breaks to the top, wealthiest people in the country,” said Pelosi.
The tax cuts made by the Republicans in 2017 had a $1.8 trillion price tag that spanned 10 years. Pelosi added that the tax hikes do not come from personal resentment against anyone for succeeding in business and that Biden is rewarding work done and meeting the needs of the people. Pelosi also touted Biden’s proposals, like his American Families Plan that would invest $200 billion for universal prekindergarten, $100 billion for free community college, expanding child tax credit to 2025, and $225 billion for the country’s first paid medical and family leave program.
Pelosi said that the proposals would be transformative while calling on Democratic traditions. It has yet to be seen if there would be any Republican support for Biden’s upcoming proposals in both chambers. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was passed solely among party lines last time, with the Democrats utilizing their majority power.
In other news, while Pelosi was known for a time to be the most powerful woman in the government, Biden’s first address to Congress was a historic moment in the making. This was due to Vice President Kamala Harris joining Pelosi in the seats behind Biden during his remarks. This would be the first time two women shared the stage in Congress.