McNerney Ignores Warning Signs that More Spending Is Hurting Job Creation

February 1, 2011

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Jason Altmire (PA-04), John Barrow (GA-12), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Tim Bishop (NY-01), Leonard Boswell (IA-03), Bruce Braley (IA-01), Dennis Cardoza (CA-18), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Ben Chandler (KY-06), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jim Costa (CA-20), Mark Critz (PA-12), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Joe Donnelly (IN-02), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Jim Himes (CT-04), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Tim Holden (PA-17), Dale Kildee (MI-05), Ron Kind (WI-03), Larry Kissell (NC-08), Rick Larsen (WA-02), David Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Matheson (UT-02), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Mike McIntyre (NC-07), Jerry McNerney (CA-11), Michael Michaud (ME-02), Brad Miller (NC-13), Chris Murphy (CT-05), Bill Owens (NY-23), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Gary Peters (MI-09), Collin Peterson (MN-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Nick Rahall (WV-03), Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Heath Shuler (NC-11), Adam Smith (WA-09), Betty Sutton (OH-13), Niki Tsongas (MA-05), Pete Visclosky (IN-01), Tim Walz (MN-01), David Wu (OR-01), John Yarmuth (KY-03)

McNerney Ignores Warning Signs that More Spending Is Hurting Job Creation
California Democrat Consistently Votes to Maintain Democrats’ Free-Spending, Job-Destroying Ways

Washington — Despite overwhelming calls from the American public to address the burgeoning federal budget deficit crisis, Jerry McNerney and his fellow Democrats have voted to block efforts to carry out the spending reductions that are necessary in order for small businesses to create jobs. Despite lip service from Democrats to get serious about the out of control spending and job losses they presided over, McNerney’s votes show no signs of confronting this pressing issue.

“Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic leadership have claimed they support working with House Republicans to reduce the deficit and create jobs, but so far Jerry McNerney’s actions have been completely to the contrary,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “If McNerney and his fellow Democrats are serious about getting federal spending under control and getting Americans back to work, they would stop standing in the way of the reform that voters have been demanding.”

McNerney’s stubborn opposition to budget cuts comes when a January Gallup poll found that 84% of Americans believe tackling the federal budget deficit is either very important or extremely important. (Jeffrey M. Jones, “Americans Want Congress, Obama to Tackle Economic Issues,” Gallup, 1/14/11).

McNerney’s votes against budget cuts stand in stark contrast to what hundreds of economists say our economy needs to create jobs again:

“‘To support real economic growth and provide the spark needed to support creation of private-sector jobs,’ the letter, which was made public Thursday by House Republican Leader John Boehner, says ‘immediate action is needed to rein in federal spending, prevent job-killing tax hikes through the expiration of current tax rates, and reverse the harmful effects of the health care law on small businesses, the engine of job creation in our economy.’” (Peter Roff, “Economists: Stimulus Not Working, Obama Must Rein in Spending,” U.S. News & World Report, 6/10/10)

In the face of overwhelming public opinion, will McNerney and his fellow Democrats finally back up their pledge to help reverse the federal spending spree they presided over, or will they continue to stand in the way of meaningful reform? The numbers suggest that voters in McNerney’s district and across the country will want to know.

BACKGROUND:

McNerney Voted Against Repealing the Job-Destroying Health Care Law. (“Final Vote Results for Roll Call 14,” Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Website, clerk.house.gov, Accessed 1/31/11)

McNerney Voted Against Reducing Spending To Fiscal Year 2008 Levels. (“Final Vote Results for Roll Call 18,” Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Website, clerk.house.gov, Accessed 1/31/11)

McNerney Voted Against Saving Taxpayers Over $600 Million By Terminating Public Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns and Party Conventions. (“Final Vote Results for Roll Call 25,” Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Website, clerk.house.gov, Accessed 1/31/11)

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