Once Supportive, Dems are Now Silent on Balancing D.C.’s Budget Amidst Party Pressure
FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Robert Andrews (NJ-01), Jim Clyburn (SC-06), Jerry Costello (IL-12), Mike Doyle (PA-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Jim Moran (VA-08), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Collin Peterson (MN-07), Pete Visclosky (IN-01)
New Jersey Democrat Voted for Balanced Budget Amendment in 1995, But is Now Conspicuously Silent
Washington — Since Frank Pallone voted for a nearly identical balanced budget amendment in 1995, it is strange that he has been virtually silent on the version being voted on in the House later this week. But Pallone’s Democrat leaders, ranging from top House Democrats to President Obama himself, are trying hard to defeat the balanced budget amendment that would rein in their government spending spree. Will Pallone vote for the balanced budget amendment just like he did in 1995, or will he cave to party pressure and change his mind?
“Despite voting for a nearly identical balanced budget amendment in 1995, Frank Pallone is strangely silent now on whether or not he’ll support the version being voted on this week,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Will pressure from his Democrat leaders in Washington force Pallone to change his mind and oppose this simple legislation to force Washington to live within its means?”
Although many supported a nearly identical balanced budget amendment in 1995, House Democrat leaders are now “unapologetically whipping against the 2011 version” in a blatant display of rigid partisanship:
“Now the GOP is taking another shot at the amendment in 2011, and some of the same Democrats who said ‘yes’ 16 years ago are saying ‘no way’ this time around.
“The difference has little to do with the principles of a balanced budget. Democrats just don’t trust the Republicans of 2011. They blame the GOP for the country’s fiscal condition and the Democrats don’t care that they’re being accused of flip-flopping.
“Minority Whip Steny Hoyer — a yes vote in 1995 — is unapologetically whipping against the 2011 version of the balanced-budget amendment, which will see a vote in the House later this week.”
(Marin Cogan, “Democrats balk at balanced-budget amendment,” Politico, 11/16/11)Frank Pallone voted for the nearly identical balanced budget amendment proposal in 1995. (H.J. Res. 1, Roll Call #51, Passed 300-132: R 228-2; D 72-129, 1/26/95)
Since one of Frank Pallone’s top Democrat leaders in the House has already flipped his earlier support for the balanced budget amendment, will Pallone also bow to pressure and vote against the amendment later this week?
Once Supportive, Dems are Now Silent on Balancing D.C.’s Budget Amidst Party Pressure http://ow.ly/7wJrC #madeinwdc #coderedink