Representative Lee Terry’s Hypocrisy on Fiscal Responsibility.
Feb 04, 04:31 PM CST
Representative Lee Terry’s hypocrisy on fiscal responsibility was on full display again when Terry voted no on legislation to ensure that all new entitlements and tax cuts are fully paid for. Before voting no on this measure to restore fiscal responsibility, Terry wasn’t shy when it came to speaking out on the need for government to tighten its belt.
“Representative Lee Terry’s vote against restoring pay-as-you-go policy after so much tough talk about the need for fiscal discipline and after Congressional Republicans let it expire in the first place proves that Terry and the GOP will say one thing at home and do something completely different in Washington,” said Ryan Rudominer of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Nebraska’s children and grandchildren deserve better than Representative Terry’s ‘do as I say but not as I do’ approach to restoring fiscal responsibility.”
BACKGROUND
· Adoption of the second portion of the divided question on H.J. Res 45 passed the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act which will reestablish “Pay-As-You-Go” (PAYGO) policy as federal law by requiring future tax and mandatory spending legislation be budget neutral, enforced by automatic across-the-board spending cuts for federal programs [Office of the Clerk of the House; H. J. Res. 45, Roll Call 48 02/04/10].
· PAYGO was federal law in the middle 1990s, under President Clinton, when record deficits were turned into three straight years of budget surplus.
· Under President Bush and Congressional Republicans, PAYGO was allowed to expire, resulting in policies that eliminated the Clinton surplus and created massive new deficits.
· Earlier this year, Republican Leader John Boehner cited the need to restore fiscal discipline. Leader Boehner said, “President Obama has called for both parties to get serious about fiscal responsibility. With our budget deficit potentially reaching $3 trillion this year, Republicans stand ready to work with him, and we believe we should start right now.” [CNBC; 2/23/09]
– by Missy Wigley | Send this to a friend
