Beto proposes a ‘war tax’ to help veterans as he struggles to regain his momentum ahead of first primary debate
- O’Rourke is touting the plan at a veterans’ roundtable in Tampa
- Those earning more than $200,000 would pay a $1,000 tax
- The tax is meant to serve as a reminder of overseas conflicts, he says
- The former House member has been rolling out policy proposals
- O’Rourke’s support was at 3 per cent in Economist / YouGov poll last week
- Plan would include IVF and abortion procedures for female vets
- A new trust fund would be started at the beginning of each war
- Only non-military families would pay it
Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke has released the details of his proposed ‘war tax’ intended to help veterans and discourage ‘endless wars.’
O’Rourke, who introduced similar legislation as a House member before his unsuccessful effort to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz, said the tax is meant to remind Americans of the sacrifice born by service members, while raising funds that could go to care for veterans.
‘We must be willing to pay any price, and bear any burden, to provide the full care, support, and resources to every single veteran who served every single one of us,” O’Rourke said in a statement announcing the plan.
“Eighteen years into the war in Afghanistan, and nearly three decades after our first engagement in Iraq, the best way to honor our veterans’ service is to cancel the blank check for endless war — and reinvest the savings to ensure every American can thrive upon their return home,” he said.
Presidential candidate former Rep. Beto O’Rourke is rolling out a proposed ‘war tax’
O’Rourke also is calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, without saying exactly how he would do so.
But he says savings from getting out could also steer money back toward veterans.
‘Beto would propose that Congress invest $1 out of every $2 dollars saved—estimated at nearly $200 billion to vets, and at least $400 billion in total savings—in programs that benefit those who served,’ according to the plan.
He released the plan in connection with a veterans event in Florida – just days after President Trump revealed that he backed off after preparing to order a military strike on Iran that could have been executed in just 30 minutes.
The plan would devote funds to care for veterans
O’Rourke pitched the plan as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee when he served in Congress
Democratic presidential candidate, former Rep. Beto ORourke (D-TX) poses for photos with conference attendees during the 2019 South Carolina Democratic Party State Convention on June 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina
Opponents of military action – meant to counter Iran’s downing of a U.S. zone and what the Pentagon says was its role in attacks on oil tankers – say it could have led to another Middle East conflict.
O’Rourke is hoping for a breakout moment during this weeks’ first Democratic candidate debates. Despite becoming a national phenomenon in his race against Cruz, his support was at 3 per cent in Economist / YouGov poll last week.
The ‘war tax’ picks up an idea to have the populace explicitly pay to fund earlier military conflicts, of which there have been many in the nation’s history.
It is designed to be progressive in nature, with those making less than $30,000 paying just $25, and those earning more than $200,000 paying a $1,000 tax.