Conservative Groups Say Congress Should Not Raise Taxes for Defense

As the 112th Congress's lame duck session progresses and on behalf of the millions of Americans represented by the undersigned organizations, we urge you to prevent the looming tax hikes and live up to your responsibilities under the Budget Control Act to reduce spending by $109 billion in fiscal year 2013.

Don't use National Security as an Excuse to Raise Taxes

The worst mistake that Congress could make would be to allow the nation's defense spending to be used as a cudgel to raise taxes. The combination of the expiration of the '01/'03 tax cuts, new taxes from the President's health care law and other tax hikes threaten our already sluggish economic recovery with a first-year tax impact of $495 billion. Preventing this impact isn't a partisan issue; it's common sense. As President Obama himself said when many of these cuts were extended last time, raising taxes would be a "blow to our economy just as we're climbing out of a devastating recession." Congress must not let that happen.

Congress Must Honor its Promises under the Budget Control Act

As the nation once again approaches the debt ceiling, we're already hearing rumblings of Congress going back on its promises from that last debt ceiling increase. Under the Budget Control Act, FY2013 spending is set to be reduced by $109 billion through the sequester. These spending cuts are long overdue and must be adhered to. While Congress may need to consider legislation to blunt the sequester's impact on defense spending -- and many of our organizations would argue that such action is vital -- it is important that the full amount of the promised BCA reductions be realized elsewhere in the federal budget.

We stand united in our opposition to using national security as a guise to raise taxes and to Congress going back on its word regarding reducing spending under the BCA.