Snowe expresses doubts on Obama plan

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, says she is skeptical of President Barack Obama's plan to adjust certain taxes to lessen the federal deficit.

Snowe, who has been a vital Obama supporter in the Republican Party, questioned the validity of limiting the tax deductions enjoyed by U.S. residents with high incomes in order to battle the country's ballooning budget deficit, The Hill said Thursday.

"Maybe he's got the cart before the horse," Snowe said of Obama's plan.

Obama wants to use funds accumulated through the limited tax deductions to help pay for a $634 billion healthcare proposal during the next decade.

Snowe added she is concerned Obama's plan could potentially make the country's tax code more complex and suggested the U.S. Congress take action to simplify the code.

"I would prefer tax reform," Snowe said. "I don't know why we can't do it. I don't know why they can't set up a working group, a collaborative process between Treasury and Congress, House Ways and Means and Senate Finance and start that process because we have a serious problem with the tax code."