The Truth-o-Meter says: Half-True | Bernie Sanders: GOP budget does not ask ultra-wealthy to contribute 'one penny' to deficit reduction If the Republicans’ proposed budget reduces the deficit, the country’s ultra-wealthy won’t have anything to do with it, said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders, who is an Independent but caucuses with Democrats, tweeted a meme March 23 that said, "From 2013-2015, the richest 14 Americans increased their net wealth by more than $157 billion, yet the Republican budget would not require these Americans to contribute one penny to deficit reduction." Both the House and the Senate have passed Republican budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2016, and they're working on reaching a final deal.