Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Were House Democrats inspired by Obama's speech?

Details

  • Description

    Rep. Robert Andrews weighs in

  • Duration 3:44
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Congressman Robert Andrews and a Democrat of New Jersey and joins us from Capitol Hill and congressman thanks very much.

-- give us your assessment of the president's speech last night.

The president address the issue that the country's most interest today in which is how to get more jobs for the economy.

He laid out his short term view which is not construction workers and teachers and tax cuts for small business in the middle class.

They talk about as long term view which is deficit reductions I think the Republicans -- their presidential debates.

Have set -- -- answers to those questions last night was his chance to do that and in the country will decide.

Taking center's stage was.

The Buffett rule was the president.

Refers to it -- of course Warren Buffett's secretary was here.

As a symbol that.

It is at least in the mind of the president and many others have been absurd that she pays a higher tax rate in the billionaire does.

-- in terms of pure amounts of course you.

It may not even be close.

How much of that aid.

Chance does the Buffett rule have of passing congress which would essentially.

Make anybody households earning more than a million dollars to pay at least 30%.

I think it will eventually pass I don't think it'll pass this year.

-- -- I think that.

The house majority really doesn't support that but I think the American people have a sense of basic equity and here's what I would say to you Greg that.

I don't think the American people would support higher taxes on any one.

If they thought the money was going to go for wasteful or unnecessary government.

But if if the money is dedicated to reducing the deficit and dad pays now what we borrow.

Eventually pays down our debt.

Then I think they would support it as part of a broader efforts and to put our our house in order so I don't think it'll happen in 2012.

But I do think it will eventually happen.

It is here in -- Republican colleagues in the house often make the following argument.

That look congress created this 15%.

Tax on capital gains.

And dividends and eight investments because they want to encourage.

People to engage in investments why because that helps to build companies and create jobs if you if you take -- -- way.

Then you're taking money away.

That would otherwise go to companies to grow and create jobs what do you say to that.

The the capital gains rate was a lot higher than this in the in the Reagan years and that didn't happen.

The capital gains rate was a lot higher than this in the sixties under Kennedy and Johnson that didn't happen.

And -- we also weren't in a position in the past where.

We are borrowing.

40% of every dollar that we spend what I would rather.

Everyone I represented pay lower taxes all.

The top 1% everybody else.

And if we had a balanced budget I think that's what -- want to but we are borrowing 45% of what we stand.

And I think that requires spending restraint in the president's proposed.

That we cut the deficit by four trillion dollars.

Three trillion by reducing spending one trillion by revenue on the top 5% or so I think that's -- pretty reasonable balance.

Congressman rob Anders thanks for taking a few minutes had to spend -- as you talk about the president's address appreciate it take care it's a pleasure thank you very much.

Load More