DNC: Congressman Cedric Richmond and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory Blast Republicans for Supporting Middle Class Tax Hike

To listen to the call please click here:  http://my.democrats.org/page/-/audio/calls/10amAfAmConfCall082411.mp3

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today on a press conference call organized by the Democratic National Committee, Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-2) and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory blasted the GOP for their willingness to raise taxes on the middle class and the impact it would have on African Americans.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100929/DNCLOGO)

Last year, President Obama lowered the payroll tax, benefitting 98% of Americans.  The President wants to keep that rate low, but Republicans in Congress are opposed to the President's efforts and want to raise taxes on nearly 160 million Americans.  This will have an adverse effect on African American families who have benefited from the lowered payroll tax.  During the debt ceiling debate Republicans protected the interests of millionaires and billionaires by preventing the wealthiest Americans from paying their fair share, but they refuse to stand with the middle class families who are working hard to make ends meet.  Not a single Republican presidential candidate has addressed the needs of the middle class during the debates.  Now it's time they give voters a final answer: Do they agree with Congressional Republicans that the middle class should pay more taxes?

You can read more about the GOP's refusal to stand with the President and middle class families here: http://apne.ws/n7nByM.

You can listen to the call here: http://my.democrats.org/page/-/audio/calls/10amAfAmConfCall082411.mp3.

On the call today, Congressman Cedric Richmond and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory said the following:

Congressman Cedric Richmond
"They have espoused the fact they do not want to raise any kind of taxes, they've signed pledges saying that but here we have a tax break on the middle class and they oppose it."

"For the Republicans to say they think it's the wrong way to go and if we're going to do it we should do it on the employer side and give the break to the big corporations I think, is the best example of whose side the parties are on. We're on the side of the 98% that are everyday working families in this country."

Mayor Mark Mallory
"For years I've been listening to Republicans say that the best way to get the economy stimulated is to put more money in the hands of working people. So now for them to say that this is not the move to make at this time I don't really understand their philosophy. I've got millionaire friends who tell me that they don't need and don't want the tax break. They're saying that the tax breaks really need to be for the working and middle class, the people who are trying to make ends meet, the people who are trying to send their kids to college, the people who are dealing with the rising costs of everyday living. Those are the folks that need the assistance and need the break. The president clearly understands that."

SOURCE Democratic National Committee