Tax Millionaires and Big Oil Instead of Hurting the Poor? Can’t Allow a Vote on That.

The ranking member on the House Budget Committee, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced an alternative to the appalling budget bill the House is voting on and expected to pass today. Rep. Van Hollen’s proposal also would avert the automatic across-the-board cuts to defense and non-defense programs that are scheduled to take effect in January 2013. But instead of slashing Medicaid, Food Stamps, child care, and dismantling the Affordable Care Act, Van Hollen’s alternative would have produced savings by eliminating taxpayer subsidies for big oil, cutting unnecessary agriculture subsidies, and adopting the Buffett Rule to ensure that millionaires pay their fair share of taxes.

House members won’t be able to vote today on Rep. Van Hollen’s bill. The House Rules Committee refused to allow it. But even without a vote, it’s clear that Members of Congress who want to avoid the automatic budget cuts next year have choices about how they do it. Putting the burden of deficit reduction on the most vulnerable women and their families is the wrong way to do.