Spokane, WA – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) participated in a tax policy roundtable at Greater Spokane Incorporated today, in which she argued that Congress and the White House must work together to stop a $4.5 trillion tax hike scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2013.

“At a time when America is suffering through the slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression, I couldn’t think of a worse idea than raising taxes on any American,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “President Obama’s plan to raise taxes is a job killer and House Republicans are united in our determination to stop this record tax hike from taking effect.  Next week, we will consider legislation that would extend the current tax rates for all Americans.  The American people are already over-taxed, and forcing them to fork over more of their money to the government, instead of keeping it so they can save, spend, or invest it, is a recipe for a double-dip recession.”

According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the President’s tax plan will hit almost one million businesses.  According to Ernst & Young, it will destroy over 700,000 jobs nationwide.  Fifteen thousand will be in Washington State.