Zack Space Pushes Transparency and Accountability to the Wayside

FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: John Barrow (GA-12); Bruce Braley (IA-01); G.K. Butterfield (NC-01); Baron Hill (IN-09); Jim Matheson (UT-02); Jerry McNerney (CA-11); Charlie Melancon (LA-03); Chris Murphy (CT-05); Mike Ross (AR-04); Zack Space (OH-18) and Bart Stupak (MI-01).

Zack Space Pushes Transparency and Accountability to the Wayside
Refuses to Hold Congress Accountable for Cost and Effects of National Energy Tax

Washington- Despite Democrats’ so-called promises to run the “most open and honest Congress in history,” Rep. Zack Space (D-OH) refused to require that a system be established to disclose the costs to taxpayers of their climate bill to the American public.

While Zack Space and his fellow Democrats may preach about being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars, they failed to put their money where their mouth is and actually be open and honest with the American people about just how much the National Energy Tax will cost.  The amendment that Space voted against would have required that any increase in the price paid by consumers or any costs borne by utilities, motor vehicle fuel providers, manufacturers of products and providers of food be disclosed on each utility bill, fuel pump, manufactured product label or food label.

“If the American people are going to be forced to foot the bill for the Democrats’ National Energy Tax, Zack Space at least owes it to the taxpayers to be upfront with them about how much it will cost,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain.  “Zack Space’s refusal to hold Congress accountable is even more proof that he was never serious about bringing accountability and transparency to Washington.”

Democrats Promised Transparency and Accountability:
“[Democrats] are committed to auditing the books and subjecting every facet of federal spending to tough budget discipline and accountability, forcing the new Congress to choose a new direction and the right priorities for all Americans.” (Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s “A New Direction for America,” Page 25)

“The House Democratic Leadership has directed Committee Chairs to hold hearings and carefully review all federal spending within their jurisdiction in order to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and obsolescence.” (Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Official Site, Issues: Fiscal Discipline)

“A top priority of the New Direction Congress was to enact measures to enhance accountability and beef up oversight to ensure taxpayers’ money is not wasted…” (Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Official Site, Issues: Fiscal Discipline)

View the text of the amendment offered by Rep. Marsha Blackburn here