John Spratt: “But let me refer to third parties, independent, disinterested third parties like the Concord Coalition. They took a look…”

“But let me refer to third parties, independent, disinterested third parties like the Concord Coalition. They took a look at our budget, and they said unequivocally, and I'm quoting, ``Thus, to be clear, the budget resolution does not call for or require a tax increase.'' The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, excellent analytical work, they took a look at our budget and they said, ``The House budget does not include a tax increase.'' And then, finally, the Hamilton Project of the Brookings Institution, independent, disinterested said, plainly, simply, ``This budget would not raise taxes.'' We have included in the budget resolution not one place, but twice, in different parts of the resolution, our wholehearted endorsement, our commitment, our pledge, our determination to see that these middle-income tax cuts are preserved and enacted and carried forward when they expire per their terms.”