Poll: Six in 10 Americans favor Buffett Rule

Six in 10 Americans favor passage of the so-called "Buffett Rule," according to a new Gallup poll released Friday.

Overall, Americans favor legislation that would raise tax rates on the wealthy by 60 percent to 37, the poll found.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the Buffett Rule measure on April 16, when it returns to Washington, D.C. The Obama administration has publicized the vote this week, and touted the “broad support across the country” for the principle codified in the legislation offered by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Whitehouse’s legislation would require that taxpayers with annual income above $1 million pay a tax rate of at least 30 percent. The survey asked specifically about Whitehouse’s legislation.

Democrats and Independents favored the legislation in greater numbers than Republicans. Democrats favor the legislation at 74 percent, with 24 percent opposed, Independents favor it by 63 percent, with 33 percent opposition, and 54 percent Republicans oppose it with 43 in favor.

Obama has pushed hard to implement the concept of the “Buffett Rule,” named for the billionaire investor Warren Buffett who has said he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary. Obama calls it a matter of all Americans paying “their fair share.”

Republicans in Congress have resisted the argument, warning that it’s a form of punishment for job-creators.

The legislation up for consideration by the Senate next week is not expected to pass, and would face heavy resistance in the Republican-controlled House if it did.

Gallup’s national survey was taken by telephone April 9 to 12. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

---