Progressive 'Gang of Six': Higher Tax Rates for Wealthy 'Just the Beginning'

Some of the most liberal House Democrats have formed a progressive “Gang of Six” to push for more tax increases, calling the potential tax increase on families making more than $250,000 “just the beginning” of things to come. 

The group includes Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Keith Ellison (D-MN.), John Conyers (D-MI), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Mike Honda (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA).

“In response to the call for progressives to draw a red line in the fiscal cliff sand, here is our big picture stance on corporate and individual tax reform,” Honda said in a statement. “The expiration of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans is just the beginning of the discussion.”

They called for more economic “fairness” and outlined six tenets for progressive tax alteration that would ensure wealthy Americans “can share significantly” in the sacrifice that is needed.

The progressive “Gang of Six” wants a tax policy that is “revenue positive,” promotes “responsible corporate behavior,” has “fair rates” for the wealthy, reexamines “expenditures that benefit the wealthy,” protects the poor and elderly, and is a part of a “global system.”