Rep. Levin says VAT isn't on the agenda

A value-added tax isn't on the agenda and could be a "goner" by next week, House Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin (D-Mich.) said Monday. 

"I've heard almost nobody within our ranks discuss it," Levin said today at The National Press Club. 

Levin said talk of a VAT, or consumption tax on selected products, is being pushed by Republicans to paint Democrats as "tax increasers." 

White House adviser and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker brought up the issue a couple of weeks ago at an event in New York City when he said it was likely that taxes would have to be raised in the near future and a VAT could be considered. 

The White House has said it wouldn't raise taxes on the middle class and has distanced itself from Volcker's comments.