Weapons of Mass Discussion: Sherrod Brown on Taxes

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Sherrod Brown on Taxes - 1993 Clinton Tax Hike

Over The Course Of His Congressional Career Sherrod Brown Has Voted At Least EIGHTY-THREE Times For Higher Taxes.

During His Time In Congress, Brown Has Voted At Least SIXTEEN Times Against Tax Relief For Married Couples.

During His Time In Congress, Brown Has Voted At Least FIFTEEN Times Against Repealing The Estate Tax.

Brown Voted FOR The Clinton Tax Hike, The Largest Tax Increase In U.S. History.

Brown Voted AGAINST Passing The 1999 Tax Relief Act.

Brown Voted Against Critical Provisions Of The 2001 Bush Tax Cuts.

Brown Voted Outright AGAINST Passing The 2001 Bush Tax Cuts.

Brown Voted AGAINST Making The 2001 Tax Cuts Permanent.

Brown Voted At Least FOUR Times Against Accelerating A Tax Cut For Middle-Class Americans From President Bush’s 2001 Tax Cut Package.

Brown Voted At Least TWICE Against Passing The 2003 Bush Tax Cuts.

Brown Voted To Raise Federal Gas Taxes In 1993, And Voted Against A Repeal Of The Gas Tax Increase Three Years Later.

Brown Voted At Least TWICE To Raise Taxes On Social Security Benefits. He Later Voted At Least THREE Times Against Repealing That Tax Hike.

Sherrod Brown’s History Of Voting For Higher Taxes:

Over The Course Of His Congressional Career Sherrod Brown Has Voted At Least EIGHTY-THREE Times For Higher Taxes. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #199: Passed 219-213: R 0-175; D 218-38; I 1-0, May 27, 1993, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #406: Adopted 218-216: R 0-175; D 217-41; I 1-0, August 5, 1993, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 1215, CQ Vote #295: Passed 246-188: R 219-11; D 27-176; I 0-1, April 5, 1995. Brown voted Nay; H.R. 3415, CQ Vote #182: Passed 301-108: R 208-15; D 92-93; I 1-0, May 21, 1996, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #245: Passed 253-179: R 226-1; D 27-177; I 0-1, June 26, 1997, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #243: Rejected 197-235: R 0-227; D 196-8; I 1-0, June 26, 1997, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 284, CQ Vote #210: Adopted 216-204: R 213-9; D 3-194; I 0-1, June 5, 1998, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4579, CQ Vote #469: Passed 229-195: R 210-11; D 19-183; I 0-1, September 26, 1998, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #76: Rejected 173-250: R 0-216; D 173-33; I 0-1, March 25, 1999, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #77: Adopted 221-208: R 217-2; D 4-205; I 0-1, March 25, 1999, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #80: Motion agreed to 349-44: R 161-44; D 187-0; I 1-0, April 12, 1999, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 220-208: R 217-3; D 3-204; I 0-1, April 14, 1999, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #331: Rejected 173-258: R 1-220; D 171-38; I 1-0, July 22, 1999, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #332: Motion rejected 211-220: R 1-220; D 209-0; I 1-0, July 22, 1999, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #333: Passed 223-208: R 217-4; D 6-203; I 0-1, July 22, 1999, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #356: Motion rejected 205-213: R 0-212; D 204-1; I 1-0, August 2, 1999, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #378: Motion rejected 205-221: R 0-218; D 204-3; I 1-0, August 5, 1999, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #379: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 221-206: R 216-4; D 5-201; I 0-1, August 5, 1999, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 3081, CQ Vote #41: Passed 257-169: R 215-1; D 41-167; I 1-1, March 9, 2000, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #252: Rejected 196-222: R 3-213; D 192-8; I 1-1, June 9, 2000, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #254: Passed 279-136: R 213-0; D 65-135; I 1-1, June 9, 2000, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #390: Rejected 198-228: R 0-219; D 197-8; I 1-1, July 12, 2000, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #391: Motion rejected 197-230: R 0-219; D 196-10; I 1-1, July 12, 2000, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #392: Passed 269-159: R 220-0; D 48-158; I 1-1, July 12, 2000, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #418: Adopted 271-156: R 219-0; D 51-155; I 1-1, July 20, 2000, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4865, CQ Vote #450: Passed 265-159: R 212-3; D 52-155; I 1-1, July 27, 2000. Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4865, CQ Vote #449: Rejected 169-256: R 1-215; D 167-40; I 1-1, July 27, 2000, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #458: Rejected 274-157: R 220-1; D 53-155; I 1-1, September 7, 2000, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #466: Rejected 270-158: R 221-0; D 48-157; I 1-1, September 13, 2000, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 3, CQ Vote #42: Rejected 155-273: R 0-219; D 154-53; I 1-1, March 8, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 3, CQ Vote #44: Motion rejected 204-221: R 0-218; D 203-2; I 1-1, March 8, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 3, CQ Vote #45: Passed 230-198: R 219-0; D 10-197; I 1-1, March 8, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #66: ejected 79-343: R 0-217; D 78-125; I 1-1, March 28, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #67: Rejected 204-221: R 12-206; D 191-14; I 1-1, March 28, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #68: Rejected 81-341: R 79-139; D 1-201; I 1-1, March 28, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #69: Rejected 183-243: R 0-219; D 182-23; I 1-1, March 28, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #70: Adopted 222-205: R 218-2; D 3-202; I 1-1, March 28, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #73: Rejected 196-231: R 0-218; D 195-12; I 1-1, March 29, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #74: Motion rejected 184-240: R 0-216; D 183-23; I 1-1, March 29, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #75: Passed 282-144: R 217-0; D 64-143; I 1-1, March 29, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #82: Rejected 201-227: R 3-215; D 197-11; I 1-1, April 4, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #83: Motion rejected 192-235: R 0-218; D 191-16; I 1-1, April 4, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #104: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 221-207: R 214-3; D 6-203; I 1-1, May 9, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #84: Passed 274-154: R 215-3; D 58-150; I 1-1, April 4, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #117: Rejected 188-239: R 0-218; D 187-20; I 1-1, May 16, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #118: Passed 230-197: R 216-0; D 13-196; I 1-1, May 16, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #146: Motion rejected 198-210: R 1-205; D 196-4; I 1-1, May 23, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #149: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 240-154: R 211-0; D 28-153; I 1-1, May 26, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #402: Rejected 166-261: R 0-217; D 165-43; I 1-1, October 24, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #403: Motion rejected 199-230: R 0-218; D 198-11; I 1-1, October 24, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 3090, CQ Vote #404: Passed 216-214: R 212-7; D 3-206; I 1-1, October 24, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 3529, CQ Vote #508: Motion rejected 177-238: R 0-215; D 176-22; I 1-1, December 20, 2001, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 3529, CQ Vote #509: Passed 224-193: R 214-2; D 9-190; I 1-1, December 20, 2001, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 622, CQ Vote #38: Motion agreed to 225-199: R 214-1; D 10-197; I 1-1, February 14, 2002, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 586, CQ Vote #103: Motion agreed to 229-198: R 219-1; D 9-196; I 1-1, April 18, 2002, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2143, CQ Vote #218: Motion rejected 205-223: R 1-217; D 203-5; I 1-1, June 6, 2002, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2143, CQ Vote #219: Passed 256-171: R 214-4; D 41-166; I 1-1, June 6, 2002, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4019, CQ Vote #228: Rejected 198-213: R 1-207; D 196-5; I 1-1, June 13, 2002, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4019, CQ Vote #229: Passed 271-142: R 210-0; D 60-141; I 1-1, June 13, 2002, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #82: Adopted 215-212: R 214-12; D 1-199; I 0-1, March 21, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #141: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 216-211: R 216-7; D 0-203; I 0-1, April 11, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #180: Motion agreed to 222-202: R 222-0; D 0-201; I 0-1, May 9, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #181: Motion rejected 202-218: R 0-217; D 201-1; I 1-0, May 9, 2003, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #182: Passed 222-203: R 218-3; D 4-199; I 0-1, May 9, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #225: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 231-200: R 224-1; D 7-198; I 0-1, May 23, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote # 287: Rejected 188-239: R 2-226; D 185-13; I 1-0, June 18, 2003, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #288: Passed 264-163: R 223-4; D 41-158; I 0-1, June 18, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 2555, CQ Vote #305: Motion agreed to 222-200: R 221-0; D 1-199; I 0-1, June 24, 2003, Brown voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 393, CQ Vote #89: Rejected 183-243: R 12-211; D 171-31; I 0-1, March 25, 2004, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4181, CQ Vote #136: Rejected 189-226: R 1-216; D 187-10; I 1-0, April 28, 2004, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4275, CQ Vote #169: Rejected 190-227: R 1-216; D 188-11; I 1-0, May 13, 2004, Brown voted Yea; H. Res. 685, CQ Vote #301: Rejected 184-230: R 2-217; D 181-13; I 1-0, June 24, 2004, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #82: Rejected 180-242: R 3-218; D 176-24; I 1-0, March 17, 2005, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #85: Rejected 134-292: R 1-225; D 132-67; I 1-0, March 17, 2005, Brown voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #88: Adopted 218-214: R 218-12; D 0-201; I 0-1, March 17, 2005, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #101: Rejected 194-238: R 1-228; D 193-9; I 0-1, April 13, 2005, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #102: Passed 272-162: R 230-1; D 42-160; I 0-1, April 13, 2005, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #619: Rejected 192-239: R 2-226; D 189-13; I 1-0, December 8, 2005, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #620: Motion rejected 193-235: R 0-226; D 192-9; I 1-0, December 8, 2005, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #621: Passed 234-197: R 225-3; D 9-193; I 0-1, December 8, 2005, Brown voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #7: Motion rejected 185-207: R 8-204; D 176-3; I 1-0, February 8, 2006, Brown voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #74: Motion rejected 192-229: R 4-222; D 187-7; I 1-0, March 29, 2006, Brown voted Yea)

The 1993 Clinton Tax Hike

The Late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) Called Clinton’s Tax Bill The “Largest Tax Increase In History.” Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) described the 1993 Clinton/Kerry tax hike as “the largest tax increase in the history of public finance in the United States or anywhere else in the world.” (Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Congressional Record, March 18, 1993)

Brown Was A “Solid Backer” Of Clinton’s Tax Hike. “Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-13, a solid backer of Clinton’s plan, said the package ‘goes in the right direction.’ . . . ‘I know politically this is a stupid vote,’ Brown said of his decision to back the package, ‘But I didn’t get elected to run from problems. I think it’s what we have to do. I feel like the package is generally good,’ Brown continued. ‘I feel it’s my duty to support it. . . .’” (Holly Yeager, States News Service, August 5, 1993)

Votes On The 1993 Tax Hike:

Brown Voted At Least TWICE For The Clinton Tax Hike, The Largest Tax Increase In U.S. History:

Fiscal 1993 Budget Reconciliation – Passage. “Passage of the five-year, $337 billion bill that closely follows President Clinton’s economic proposals. The bill would raise $250 billion in new revenues, mandate $87 billion in cuts in mandatory spending, and cut an additional $159 billion from the deficit, largely through discretionary spending cuts and interest savings, for a total of $496 billion in deficit reduction over five years. Proposals in the bill include: a new top income bracket of 36 percent with a 10 percent surtax on income of more than $250,000; a tax increase on the Social Security benefits of better-off recipients; an increase in the Medicare payroll tax; an energy (Btu) tax; an increase in the corporate income tax rate to 35 percent; an auction of the public radio spectrum; and an expansion of the earned income tax credit. Also in the bill are provisions to freeze discretionary spending at or below fiscal 1993 levels through fiscal 1998 and create an entitlement review process and a deficit-reduction trust fund.” (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #199: Passed 219-213: R 0-175; D 218-38; I 1-0, May 27, 1993, Brown voted Yea)

1993 Budget Reconciliation – Adoption. “Adoption of the conference report to reduce the deficit by an estimated $496 billion over five years through almost $241 billion in additional taxes and $255 billion in spending cuts by closely tracking President Clinton’s economic proposals. Of the cuts in the bill, $102 billion would come through a freeze of discretionary spending at fiscal 1993 levels through fiscal 1998. Proposals in the bill include: a new top income tax bracket of 36 percent with a 10 percent surtax above $250,000 retroactive to Jan. 1, 1993; a tax increase on the Social Security benefits of wealthier recipients; an increase of 4.3 cents in the federal gas tax; a tax increase from 34 percent to 35 percent on corporate income above $10 million retroactive to Jan. 1, 1993; an auction of the public radio spectrum; a direct student loan program; $55.8 billion in Medicare cuts mostly through reductions in payments to providers; a delay in cost of living adjustments for military personnel; changes in federal retirement programs; a $20.8 billion expansion of the earned-income tax credit; creation of empowerment zones; an increase in spending of $500 million for childhood immunization and $2.5 billion for food stamps; a two-year extension of the research and development tax credit; a 50 percent capital gains exclusion for long-term investments in certain small businesses; and allowing the depreciation of intangible assets.” (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #406: Adopted 218-216: R 0-175; D 217-41; I 1-0, August 5, 1993, Brown voted Yea)

Brown’s Vote For The Clinton Tax Hike Included Votes For:

Higher Income Taxes:

A Tax Increase On Social Security Benefits:

An Increase In Corporate Income Taxes:

And An Increase In The Gas Tax:

Given Chances To Repeal Some Of These Tax Hikes, Brown Refused:

Brown Voted At Least THREE Times Against Repealing The Tax Hike On Social Security Benefits:

Social Security Tax Repeal – Passage. “Passage of the bill that would repeal the provision in the 1993 law that increased the portion of Social Security benefits subject to taxation from 50 percent to 85 for single taxpayers with incomes over $25,000 and married taxpayers filing jointly with incomes over $32,000 effective after Dec. 31, 2000. An amount equal to the revenues that would have been collected had the tax not been repealed would be transferred to the Medicare trust fund from the general fund.” (H.R. 4865, CQ Vote #450: Passed 265-159: R 212-3; D 52-155; I 1-1, July 27, 2000. Brown voted Nay)

Social Security Tax Repeal -- Democratic Substitute. “Pomeroy, D-N.D., amendment that would strike the bill’s language and replace it with a provision that increases the income thresholds at which 85 percent of Social Security benefits are subject to taxation from $34,000 to $80,000 for single taxpayers, and from $44,000 to $100,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. It also would include a provision ensuring that the Medicare trust fund would not be affected.” (H.R. 4865, CQ Vote #449: Rejected 169-256: R 1-215; D 167-40; I 1-1, July 27, 2000, Brown voted Yea)

Tax and Spending Cuts – Passage. “Passage of the bill to cut taxes by $189 billion over five years through a variety of proposals, including a $500-per-child tax credit for families earning up to $200,000 a year; the elimination of the corporate alternative minimum tax; a lowering of the capital gains tax rate from 28 percent to 19.8 percent; the easing of the ‘marriage penalty’ in the tax code; the establishment of ‘back loaded’ individual retirement accounts; and the repeal of the 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits. The cost of the bill would be offset through various proposals, including cutting discretionary spending by $100 billion over five years; increasing federal employees’ pension contribution; and freezing reimbursement rates in certain Medicare programs.” (H.R. 1215, CQ Vote #295: Passed 246-188: R 219-11; D 27-176; I 0-1, April 5, 1995. Brown voted Nay)

Brown Voted Against A Repeal Of The Gas Tax Increase:

Gasoline Tax Repeal – Passage. “Passage of the bill to repeal temporarily the 4.3-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax increase enacted as part of the 1993 budget-reconciliation law. Under the bill, the tax would be reinstated Jan. 1, 1997. The bill would offset the $2.9 billion cost of the repeal by auctioning 35 megahertz of the "non-television" portion of the broadcast spectrum.” (H.R. 3415, CQ Vote #182: Passed 301-108: R 208-15; D 92-93; I 1-0, May 21, 1996, Brown voted Nay)