Senator backs large payroll tax hike to fund Social Security, drawing GOP criticism

The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, for supporting a significant payroll tax increase to fund Social Security, according to Raw Story.

At a recent debate, Marshall proposed eliminating the current payroll tax cap of $184,500, which would impose a 12.4 percent marginal tax rate on income above that threshold, shared by workers and employers.

The Journal board described this move as one of the largest peacetime tax hikes in decades and argued it would not fully close Social Security’s funding gap, potentially pushing top marginal rates above 60% in some states.

The editorial suggested that Marshall’s stance amounts to trying to outpace his Democratic opponent, Adam Hamilton, who supports raising the cap but not eliminating it and shows more willingness to discuss retirement age changes.

The board also mentioned Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican who joined Democrat Elizabeth Warren in supporting the tax increase idea, questioning why Republicans are conceding on this issue.

The editorial concluded that by agreeing to tax increases upfront, Republicans lose leverage to negotiate reforms on benefits, retirement age, and means-testing, calling Marshall’s position a "political mistake for the ages."