National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Communications Director Brian Walsh issued the following statement in response to U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich’s (D-NM) decision to run for New Mexico’s open U.S. Senate seat:
“A big problem for Martin Heinrich is that there is a mile-wide gap between his moderate rhetoric versus his very liberal record. Heinrich has consistently voted with the liberal wing of his party, helping his Democrat bosses ram through their massive health care overhaul, their job-killing cap-and-trade energy tax, and their failed $787 billion stimulus debacle. The contrast for voters will be very clear in 2012, and we are confident New Mexico will elect a fiscally responsible Republican to the U.S. Senate.”
Martin Heinrich’s Liberal Record Is Out-Of-Step With New Mexico
Heinrich Claims To Support Fiscal Responsibility:
Heinrich: “I’m In Favor Of Reducing Government Spending . . . .” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “VIDEO: Heinrich on GOP Spending Bill,” Press Release, 2/16/11)
Heinrich: “I’ve Been Fighting To Reduce Our National Deficit And Tighten The Purse Strings Here In Washington.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich Applauds Senate For Passing PAY-AS-YOU-GO Legislation,” Press Release, 1/28/10)
Heinrich Said We Must “Commit To Reduce Our National Deficit And To Tighten The Purse Strings Here In Washington.” Heinrich: “[W]e owe it to the working families that elected us to match their tough household budgeting decisions during these difficult economic times. We must once again commit to reduce our national deficit and to tighten the purse strings here in Washington.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich Helps Restore Fiscal Responsibility In Congress,” Press Release, 7/22/09)
But Heinrich Has Rubberstamped His Party’s Reckless Spending Agenda:
Heinrich Voted To Adopt The Fiscal 2010 Budget Resolution That “Would Create As Much Government Debt As Every Other President From George Washington To George W. Bush – Combined.” (Brian Riedl, “A Doubling By Obama,” The Washington Times, 3/24/09; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #216: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) by a vote of 233-193: R 0-176; D 233-17; 4/29/09, Heinrich Voted Yea)
Heinrich Voted For The Fiscal 2010 Omnibus Bill, Which Included $446.8 Billion In Spending. (H.R. 3288, CQ Vote #949: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) by a vote of 221-202: R 0-174; D 221-28, 12/10/09, Heinrich Voted Yea)
Heinrich Supported The Failed $787 Billion Stimulus Debacle:
Heinrich Voted For Adoption Of The Conference Report On The Stimulus Bill. “Passage of the bill that would provide, $819.5 billion in tax cuts and new spending through fiscal 2019 to stimulate the economy. Appropriations and other spending in the bill would yield estimated outlays of $637.3 billion. The total includes upgrades to transportation, infrastructure, construction, health care programs, education and housing assistance, and energy efficiency projects. The bill also includes $274.6 billion in tax benefits for individuals and businesses.” (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #70: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) by a vote of 246-183: R 0-176; D 246-7, 2/13/09, Heinrich Voted Yea)
Heinrich Said The Stimulus Would “Create Good Jobs,” And He Was Hopeful His Constituents Would “Feel Swift Economic Relief.” “‘This bold recovery and jobs package will create good jobs for the 1st Congressional District and provide much needed tax relief for working families,’ said Representative Heinrich. ‘The people of Central New Mexico work hard and this economic downturn has been difficult for far too many. With the immediate tax relief and investment in our infrastructure that this plan provides I am hopeful that my constituents will feel swift economic relief.’” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “New Mexico House Delegation Outlines Economic Recovery Package,” Press Release, 1/27/09)
In January 2009, Before The “Stimulus,” The Unemployment Rate In New Mexico Was 5.8%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 4/1/11)
· After The “Stimulus” Was Passed In February 2009, New Mexico’s Unemployment Rate Stayed Above 5.8% And Was 8.7% As Of February, 2011. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 4/1/11)
Heinrich Supported The Democrats’ Massive Health Care Overhaul:
Heinrich Voted To Pass The Health Care Reconciliation Bill. (H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #194: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president, by a vote of 220-207: R 0-175; D 220-32, 3/25/10, Heinrich Voted Yea)
Heinrich Said Health Care Reform Was A “Win-Win Situation For The American People,” As It Will “Cut The Federal Deficit By $1.3 Trillion Over The Next Two Decades.” “‘These numbers show that passing health insurance reform is a win-win situation for the American people,’ said Rep. Heinrich. ‘We will reduce insurance costs, provide more Medicare drug benefits, and cut the federal deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next two decades.’” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “VIDEO: Heinrich Standing Up For The People Of New Mexico,” Press Release, 3/18/10)
Heinrich Supported The Job-Killing Cap-And-Trade Energy Tax:
Heinrich Voted For The Waxman-Markey Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill That Created A Cap-And-Trade System. “Passage of the bill that would create a cap-and-trade system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and set new requirements for electric utilities. The EPA would be allowed to auction emission allowances to permit the buyer to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. Under the bill, three-quarters of emission allowances would be provided to polluters free of charge, based on formulas, when the cap-and-trade program would begin in 2012. Remaining allowances would be sold at auction. By 2030, 75 percent of the allowances would be sold to polluters by EPA. The bill would limit emissions at 17 percent below current levels in 2020, 42 percent in 2030 and 83 percent in 2050. Companies such as electric utilities, refineries and factories could buy and sell pollution allowances and get credit for funding special projects to reduce emissions on farms and in forests. It would require utilities to produce 15 percent of the nation’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with another 5 percent energy savings from efficiency. States could petition to bring the renewable mandate down to 12 percent, with 8 percent from efficiency. It would set new emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, and new energy efficiency and water use standards for buildings and products. It would establish programs to assist energy consumers with higher utility bills as a result of the system. It also would create programs for electrical transmission lines, smart grid technologies, modernizing electricity infrastructure to respond to changing conditions, reduction of emissions, increased energy efficiency, and carbon capture and sequestration.” (H.R. 2454, CQ Vote #477: Passed by a vote of 219-212: R 8-168; D 211-44; 6/26/09, Heinrich Voted Yea)
