Sen. Ron Johnson: Obama misled voters by saying tax increases solve fiscal problems

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said Sunday that President Obama “misled” Americans during the presidential campaign by telling voters that raising taxes on the wealthy would solve economic problems.

During a local television interview on “Up Front with Mike Gousha," in his home state, Johnson said voters believe U.S. fiscal problems will be solved “if all we do is make the rich pay their fair share and produce a balanced approach to deficit reduction.” 

But Johnson said that isn’t true.

“The president misled the American public,” Johnson said during the interview Sunday. “I don’t believe enough Americans really understand the depth of our fiscal situation and what it will take to solve it.”

Johnson reiterated Republican calls for Obama to release his own deficit-reduction plan for people to judge, rather than relying on Congress to take the lead.

“What I am asking the president to do and the Senate Democrats to do is put a plan on the table,” Johnson said. “Let the American people see what your plans are for closing a trillion-dollar a year deficit.”

Democrats have said any deficit reduction plan must allow the Bush-era tax rates to expire for those making more than $250,000 annually. Republicans argue that any tax increases would harm small businesses.

“I don’t know of any tax increase that helps grow the economy or create even one job,” Johnson said.

Republicans have more recently said the entitlement reform must be included in a deficit reduction package if it’s to pass the GOP-controlled House. Lawmakers are working to avoid the "fiscal cliff" at the end of the year when the Bush-era tax rates expire and automatic spending cuts take effect.

The article was updated at 3 p.m.

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