Vending

Biden OBM director pick supported national soda tax

Logo provided.

December 4, 2020

Neera Tanden, President-elect Joe Biden's pick for Office of Budget and Management director, has supported a national soda tax that critics claim would most impact low income citizens, according to a Fox News report.

Tanden endorsed the "Medicare for America" health care bill that included a 1% tax per 4.2 grams of caloric sweetener in beverages such as Coca-Cola. The Center for American Progress Health Policy Team published a universal health care plan in 2018 including a 1% tax per ounce of sugary drinks.

Americans for Tax Reform, a tax advocacy group, claimed the tax could cause Coca Cola to raise the cost of a bottle of soda from $1.25 to $1.70.