Just days after voting for pay-as-you go legislation – which he introduced and lauded as a way to “rein in run-away spending and bring new fiscal restraint to Washington” – U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) broke his word on the first test of this new law when he joined Senate Democrats and voted to “waive” the pay-go rules in order to pass the Democrats’ $15 billion jobs bill this morning.
Notably, Bennet and his Democrat colleagues passed the pay-go legislation last month in order to provide political cover for their vote to raise the national debt ceiling by $1.9 trillion to a record $14.3 trillion. This measure was needed after the Democrats maxed-out the government’s credit card and borrowed $787 billion to pay for the boondoggle stimulus.
“It’s inexplicable that Governor Ritter’s appointed Senator Michael Bennet voted to waive the same law that he voted for just four weeks earlier. This hypocrisy highlights why Michael Bennet continues to trail his Republican opponents in a number of public polls,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Marchand. “Voters are tired of the out-of-control spending from the Democrat-controlled Congress and they are looking for real change in Washington this November.”
Background Information:
Bennet Lauded The House For Passing PAYGO Legislation. “U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today applauded the House of Representatives for passing legislation that would require greater fiscal restraint in Congress and reduce the national deficit. The legislation, known as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO), would require Congress to find a way to pay for all new spending or tax cuts.” (Senator Michael Bennet, Press Release, “Senate PAYGO Sponsors Applaud House Passage,” 7/22/09)
Bennet Claimed That PAYGO Worked In The 1990s. “Our nation’s deficit and debt are a burden on Colorado’s families and a threat to our long-term prosperity. During the 1990s, the government abided by a simple law that required us to pay for new spending programs and new tax cuts. It was called PAYGO, and it worked.” (Senator Michael Bennet, Press Release, “Senate PAYGO Sponsors Applaud House Passage,” 7/22/09)
Bennet Called PAYGO Legislation “Common Sense.” Unfortunately, under the last administration that simple, common sense law was abandoned, and the results speak for themselves,’ Bennet said. ‘Coloradans have been forced to tighten their fiscal belts. It’s time the government did too.”’ (Senator Michael Bennet, Press Release, “Senate PAYGO Sponsors Applaud House Passage,” 7/22/09)
Bennet Introduced PAYGO Legislation In The Senate. “U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today introduced legislation that would force Congress to rein in run-away spending and bring new fiscal restraint to Washington. The legislation, known as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO), would require Congress to find a way to pay for all new entitlement spending or tax cuts, rather than adding to the national deficit.” (Senator Michael Bennet, Press Release, “McCaskill, Bennet Introduce Senate PAYGO Bill,” 8/6/09)
Bennet: “We Need To Return To The Simple, Common Sense Laws Of The 1990s That Required Us To Pay For New Spending Programs And New Tax Cuts. The Last Administration Abandoned That Law, And The Results Speak For Themselves.” (Senator Michael Bennet, Press Release, “McCaskill, Bennet Introduce Senate PAYGO Bill,” 8/6/09)
