Do House Dems Share Their Dem Leaders’ Growing Opposition to Balancing D.C.’s Budget?

November 15, 2011

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Tim Bishop (NY-01), Bruce Braley (IA-01), Lois Capps (CA-24), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Kathy Castor (FL-11), Ben Chandler (KY-06), David Cicilline (RI-01), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Mark Critz (PA-12), John Garamendi (CA-03), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Jim Himes (CT-04), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Kathy Hochul (NY-26), Tim Holden (PA-17), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Steve Israel (NY-02), Bill Keating (MA-10), Ron Kind (WI-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), David Loebsack (IA-02), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Michael Michaud (ME-02), Brad Miller (NC-13), Bill Owens (NY-23), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Gary Peters (MI-09), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), David Price (NC-04), Nick Rahall (WV-03), Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Heath Shuler (NC-11), Adam Smith (WA-09), Betty Sutton (OH-13), John Tierney (MA-06), Paul Tonko (NY-21), Niki Tsongas (MA-05), Pete Visclosky (IN-01), Tim Walz (MN-01), John Yarmuth (KY-03)

Does Shuler Share His Dem Leaders’ Growing Opposition to Balancing D.C.’s Budget?
North Carolina Democrat Will Vote on Balanced Budget Amendment Later This Week, Which is Supported by 74% of Americans

Washington — Heath Shuler’s Democrat leaders are increasing their opposition to a simple balanced budget amendment that would require the federal government to only spend the money it has, like families and small businesses across the country. Now the Democrats’ top ranking member of the House Budget Committee is also urging his fellow House Democrats to vote against the proposal this week and continue the Democrats’ culture of endless spending and borrowing in Washington. Does that mean Shuler will also fight against having Washington live within its means and defy the vast majority of American voters?

“Heath Shuler’s vote this week on the balanced budget amendment will be a crucial one that gives him the chance to begin fixing the fiscal damage his Democrat spending and borrowing spree has done to the economy,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Will Shuler follow his House Democrat leaders’ backwards priorities and oppose balancing Washington’s budget, or will he recognize the balanced budget amendment is common-sense reform supported by 74 percent of American voters?”

The Democrats’ top House Budget Committee member is now also urging his colleagues to oppose the balanced budget amendment:

“House Budget Committee ranking member Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Monday urged House Democrats to vote against a balanced budget amendment that is coming to the floor this week.” (Erik Wasson, “Van Hollen urges no vote on balanced budget amendment,” The Hill‘s On The Money Blog, 11/14/11)

House Democrat leaders have been actively drumming up opposition in their caucus to the measure:

“House Democrats have largely opposed the amendment, arguing it would hurt the economy. Additionally, aides say Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) — who voted for the 1995 amendment — is whipping against this one.” (John Stanton, “GOP to Promote Balanced Budget,” Roll Call, 11/14/11)

But the House Democrats’ priorities are wildly out of step with American voters, who support a balanced budget amendment 74 percent to 24 percent. (CNN|ORC Poll, 7/21/11)

Heath Shuler’s Democrat leaders in Washington continue to demonstrate that their priorities are on the wrong side of what American voters want. Instead of agreeing to manage their budget like middle-class families and small businesses across America already have, Shuler’s party leaders are fighting to keep their spending spree going. Will Shuler also oppose the common-sense balanced budget amendment this week under increasing pressure from House Democrat leaders?

Do House Dems Share Their Dem Leaders’ Growing Opposition to Balancing D.C.’s Budget? http://ow.ly/7ucy1 #madeinwdc #coderedink

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