Romney Declares ‘We’re Not Raising Taxes’ To Pay for Infrastructure Deal

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is adamant Republican negotiators will not agree to raise taxes to pay for an infrastructure package.

“We’re not raising taxes,” Romney said.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a lead Republican negotiator, also expressed his opposition to raising taxes.

“The last thing we want to do an infrastructure package is to hurt the economy as we come out of COVID, … so taxes would be a huge mistake,” Portman said.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) said negotiators are not discussing tax increases. He pointed out it would be difficult to get Democrats to go along with it.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden ended negotiations with Republicans and instead will focus on a bipartisan group of lawmakers, as IJR reported.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.) released a statement announcing the end to the talks.

“I spoke with the president this afternoon, and he ended our infrastructure negotiations,” Capito said.

She continued, “Throughout our negotiations, we engaged respectfully, fully, and very candidly — delivering several serious counteroffers that each represented the largest infrastructure investment Republicans have put forth.”

Capito claimed Biden “continued to respond with offers that included tax increases as his pay for, instead of several practical options that would not have been harmful to individuals, families, and small businesses.”