Austin Scott: “I stand here tonight as probably the only Member of this House of Representatives that is a member of the Congressional…”

“I stand here tonight as probably the only Member of this House of Representatives that is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Blue Dogs, as well as the New Dems. That is a broad cross-section of diversity within our party that is not shared by this party, and I make that observation only because the American people are watching this tonight. The truth must come out and be said properly. That is why all three of these groups, moderate, conservative to the liberal are behind this budget. Let me state very quickly, because there is one fact I want understood tonight, and that is that this budget is not a tax increase, does not raise taxes one penny. Let me quote, for example, and this is not Democrats who are just saying this, this is what economists from the Concord Coalition, moderate conservative economists say. 'Thus to be clear, the Democratic budget resolution does not call for or require a tax increase.' That is not just us saying it. From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this is what they say: 'The House plan does not include a tax increase.' The Alexander Hamilton Project of the Brookings Institute says this: 'This Democratic budget does not raise taxes.' Now, that is so important for us to get across tonight.”