NRCC Highlights Matheson’s Reckless Spending Record With Automated Calls

February 23, 2011

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Jason Altmire (PA-04), Tim Bishop (NY-01), Dan Boren (OK-02), Ben Chandler (KY-06), Joe Donnelly (IN-02), Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Larry Kissell (NC-08), Jim Matheson (UT-02), Mike McIntyre (NC-07), Nick Rahall (WV-03)

NRCC Highlights Matheson’s Reckless Spending Record With Automated Calls

Utah Voters Still Waiting on Jobs Two Long Years After Stimulus

Washington—Now that Democrats have celebrated the 2nd birthday of their failed stimulus bill, Jim Matheson has some explaining to do as the controversial package he helped pass has hardly lived up to all the hype. He commemorated the stimulus’ two-year anniversary by supporting more big spending, voting against a Republican proposal to cut reckless government spending and reduce the deficit. Today, the National Republican Congressional Committee is holding Matheson accountable for his reckless spending habits by releasing an automated call to his constituents. With Americans still looking at an alarmingly high unemployment rate and a lackluster economy, Matheson continues to prove that he puts partisan politics over the needs of his constituents.

“In voting for the stimulus, Matheson turned his back on his constituents and instead lent his support to his party’s platform of big spending and preserving the status quo in Washington,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “As economists continue to agree that Matheson’s failed stimulus was a waste of both time and money, Matheson again proved he would rather toe his party’s line when he voted against a budget proposal last week that would cut spending and lower the debt burden for middle-class American families.”

The call script reads as follows:

Hi, I’m calling from the National Republican Congressional Committee. Two years ago this month, your Congressman Jim Matheson helped pass Obama’s stimulus. He promised it would create jobs and improve the economy, but Utah’s unemployment rate increased over 20 percent since then. You thought Matheson would’ve learned his lesson after his big-spending stimulus failed, but last week he voted against a budget bill that actually cut spending. He would rather spend more money we don’t have. Call Jim Matheson at 202.225.3011 and tell him he doesn’t get it… You want jobs, not more debt to pay. Paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. 202.479.7000.

Jim Matheson and his fellow Democrats chose to support a stimulus package that did nothing to stem high unemployment and help struggling families. Instead, Matheson supported a stimulus that only made the national debt explode while impeding job creation and stifling economic growth—all done at the taxpayer’s expense. And with Matheson supporting the Democrats’ irresponsible budget plans last week, it seems he has yet to learn any of the lessons from the past two years. Utah voters have the chance to voice their disapproval with his reckless spending, and Matheson stands to lose if he refuses to listen.

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