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Rick Crawford Calls for Millionaire Tax, Balanced Budget Amendment

2 min read

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., is unveiling a proposal Thursday to levy a surtax on millionaires, a plan that goes against his party’s opposition to raising taxes.

Crawford, a freshman who represents Arkansas’ 1st congressional district, has recorded an interview with ABC affiliate KAIT-TV, Channel 8, in Jonesboro about the plan. The interview is scheduled to air Thursday evening.

"If we are going to take financial calamity off the table both parties will need to come together," Crawford said in a news release about his plan. "Republicans have long championed a balanced budget amendment to force the federal government to live within its means. Democrats have pushed for new taxes on millionaires to address our debt.

"This reasonable approach can be the beginning of a new era in Washington where Congress puts the needs of the country first and stops burdening future generations of Americans with immense debt."

Crawford’s legislation, called "The Shared Responsibility in Preserving America’s Future Act," would require passage of a federal balanced budget amendment in exchange for a 5 percent surtax on individual incomes exceeding $1 million a year.

Crawford is part a class of Republican lawmakers swept into office on a promise of no new taxes and smaller government. Elected in 2010, he is the first Republican to represent Arkansas’ 1st district since Reconstruction.

Lawmakers in Congress have been at a stalemate over the budget since last year. On Thursday, a Crawford aide told Politico that the budget stalemate prompted Crawford to propose a plan that would raise revenue.

"He’s watched the Gangs of Six and 100 and deficit commissions, as well as leadership’s budget and tax plan, and he feels there will never be a deal that will pass the Senate without a revenue component," the aide said, according to the Politico website.

The plan is likely to face opposition from Crawford’s own party, members of which have signed a pledge to never raise taxes. The pledge was written by Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, and has wielded considerable influence over Republican lawmakers. Crawford has signed the pledge.

"Most all major accomplishments in Washington happen when both parties work together, and this often means each side accepts something they don’t necessarily like," Crawford said.

"I hope Republicans consider passing a balanced budget amendment important enough to allow asking millionaires to pay a little more on their income over $1 million, and I hope Democrats will recognize this good-faith effort and stop blocking a balanced budget amendment that will fundamentally alter the way Washington spends taxpayer dollars."

Three Democratic candidates have filed to run against Crawford in the fall: Scott Ellington, prosecuting attorney for the 2nd Judicial District; Gary Latnich, an Arkansas State University professor; and Clark Hall, a state representative.

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