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House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) sent a letter to President Obama Friday accusing the White House of striking a deal on the excise tax that favors federal employees.

"While the reported deal is bad enough for working Americans, I am concerned that the deal that was negotiated behind closed doors may also have been designed to benefit federal government officials and employees at the expense of other Americans," Cantor wrote.

The Minority Whip requested that the Administration answer the following questions about the compromise brokered with union representatives Thursday:

--Will the health care plans offered to Members of Congress and Administration officials, including Cabinet officers, White House staff, and political appointees, be exempt from the proposed excise tax in the same manner as those covered under collective bargaining agreements?

--Will the health care plans offered to federal employees, including over 382,000 employees making in excess of $100,000 a year, be exempt from the proposed excise tax in the same manner as those covered under collective bargaining agreements?

Cantor closed his letter with a final jab at the President, saying, "I regret that I am forced to send this" but it would not have been necessary had the Administration "had televised the health care negotiations on C-SPAN, as you committed to during the campaign."

Full letter after the jump.

By Meredith Shiner

The Honorable Barack Obama

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500



Dear Mr. President,

I read with great interest press reports indicating that Administration officials and Democrat congressional leaders have struck a deal related to the so-called “Cadillac” tax on high cost health plans. Numerous press reports indicate that health insurance plans covering state and local government employees and plans for employees in collective bargaining agreements would be exempt from the tax until 2018, while individuals employed in the private sector that are not covered by union contracts would pay the tax as early as 2013 -- even if they have the exact same insurance coverage.

While the reported deal is bad enough for working Americans, I am concerned that the deal that was negotiated behind closed doors may also have been designed to benefit federal government officials and employees at the expense of other Americans. Specifically, I request that the Administration provide answers to the following questions prior to announcing any final agreement on a health care bill:

1. Will the health care plans offered to Members of Congress and Administration officials, including Cabinet officers, White House staff, and political appointees, be exempt from the proposed excise tax in the same manner as those covered under collective bargaining agreements?

2. Will the health care plans offered to federal employees, including over 382,000 employees making in excess of $100,000 a year, be exempt from the proposed excise tax in the same manner as those covered under collective bargaining agreements?

I regret that I am forced to send this letter. I do not believe it would be necessary if you and your Administration had televised the health care negotiations on C-SPAN, as you committed to during the campaign.

Sincerely,


Eric Cantor

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