Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn releases report on government subsidies to millionaires

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn says welfare for the well-off costs an average of $30 billion a year.
BY CHRIS CASTEEL ccasteel@opubco.com Published: November 15, 2011

— Subsidies and tax breaks for millionaires cost the U.S. government an average of $30 billion a year, according to a report released Monday by Sen. Tom Coburn, who wants to put new caps on federal benefits.

Coburn, R-Muskogee, wants to limit Social Security benefits for the wealthiest Americans and make them pay more for Medicare. The senator is also calling for an end to farm payments, unemployment benefits and certain tax write-offs for those with adjusted gross incomes above $1 million.

Coburn said Monday that government programs and tax policies are “subsidizing the lifestyles of the rich and famous.”



‘Reverse Robin Hood'

Some in Congress have argued that means-testing certain programs, including farm aid and Social Security, would turn them into welfare programs, subverting their original purposes and attaching stigmas to them.

But Coburn said Monday that the system has produced a “reverse Robin Hood style of wealth distribution” because of “an intentional effort to get all Americans bought into a system where everyone appears to benefit.”

Coburn's new report expands on a theme that was part of the plan he released in July to cut $9 trillion in spending over 10 years. Though Coburn has broken ranks with his party to say he would support tax code changes to bring in more money, he also has stressed that the government shouldn't be paying money out to people who don't need it.

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At a glance

According to Sen. Tom Coburn's new report, millionaires received:

• $9 billion in Social Security payments between 2004 and 2009.

• $74 million in unemployment benefits between 2005 and 2009.

• $316 million in farm program payments between 2003 and 2009.

• $76 million in residential energy tax credits in 2009.

• $89 million in conservation program payments in 2009 and 2010.

• $7.5 million in disaster housing payments between 2007 and 2010.

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