Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized the federal government’s spending as Tax Day approaches on April 15. The Georgia Republican believes that taxation powers should be taken away from the federal government, expressing frustration over the trillions of dollars collected in 2023 to fund essential aspects of American society, such as healthcare, Social Security, and the military. Greene called for reducing the size of the federal government by half and giving more tax powers to individual states, although she did not provide specifics on how this would be achieved. She also posted an infographic that outlines federal government taxation, spending, and the national debt, although the figures have not been independently verified.
The infographic shared by Greene highlights government spending figures for the 2023 fiscal year, which are close to official Treasury totals but not identical. The federal government spent $6.3 trillion in 2023, which was a decrease from the previous year’s figure of $6.48 trillion, according to the Treasury Department. The infographic, however, lists the national spending as $6.5 trillion. In the current 2024 fiscal year, the Biden administration has spent $3.25 trillion so far, with spending increasing by $103 billion compared to the previous year.
Greene has a history of criticizing tax systems in the U.S., previously calling for Americans to revolt against taxes in certain states. In December, she urged Californians to forgo paying taxes following the state’s announcement of offering free healthcare to undocumented immigrants. Greene referred to this as treason and questioned if a tax revolt could address the border crisis, expressing frustration over not being able to garner enough votes for impeachment. Overall, Greene’s stance reflects a belief that the federal government’s spending and taxation practices are unsustainable and should be reformed.
Newsweek, committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections to foster common ground, has reached out to Greene for clarification and comment regarding her views on taxation and government spending. The publication emphasizes the importance of verifying figures and information shared by public officials to ensure accuracy and transparency in public discourse. As Tax Day approaches, the debate over government spending, taxation, and the national debt continues to be a contentious issue with varying perspectives on how best to address these complex fiscal challenges.
It remains to be seen how Greene’s calls for reducing the size of the federal government and shifting tax powers to states will be received by her colleagues and the public. The issue of taxation and government spending is multifaceted, with different stakeholders holding diverse opinions on the appropriate role and size of the federal government. As the debate unfolds, it is crucial for policymakers and the public to engage in informed discussions and consider the long-term implications of any proposed reforms to ensure the financial stability and well-being of the country.
