Believes Raising Taxes Preferable To Commonsense Reductions In Gov’t Spending
Just weeks after flip-flopping on his past opposition to raising the nation’s debt ceiling and calling it “inconceivable” to do otherwise, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is now demanding that any vote to raise the debt ceiling be tied to tax hikes on America’s domestic energy producers.
Earlier today, Menendez – who is the only sitting U.S. Senator currently under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice – joined with his allies in the far-left wing of the Democrat party in sending a letter to Vice President Joe Biden demanding new energy tax hikes. Notably, Menendez’s renewed support for higher energy taxes comes the same day that the Consumer Confidence Index fell to a six-month low amid growing concerns over the labor market and rising food and gasoline prices.
“It’s astonishing that at a time when gas prices are hovering at $4 per gallon and the national debt has skyrocketed past $14 trillion, Bob Menendez wants to raise taxes in return for his vote to increase our country’s credit card limit,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond said today. “When will Senator Menendez recognize the problem is not that the federal government taxes too little, but that it spends too much?”
Background Information:
In April 2011, Menendez Said It Would Be “A Huge Blow To The Economy” To Not Raise The Debt Limit. “Spending foes may make threats and bargain for further budget cuts, but it is inconceivable that Congress will not raise the federal debt ceiling in the coming months, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, said Tuesday in San Antonio. … ‘It would be a huge blow to the economy,’ Menendez told more than 100 people at the forum.” (David Hendricks, “N.J. Senator Says Debt Ceiling Will Be Raised,” San Antonio Express-News, 4/20/11)
But Menendez Voted Against Raising The Debt Ceiling Four Times During The Bush Administration
Menendez Voted Against Raising The Debt Limit Four Times During The Bush Administration. (H. J. Res. 43, CQ Vote #354: Passed (thus cleared for the president) 53-42: R 27-20; D 25-21; I 1-1, 9/27/07, Menendez Voted Nay; H. J. Res. 47, CQ Vote #54: Passed (thus cleared for the president) 52-48: R 52-3; D 0-44; I 0-1, 3/16/06, Menendez Voted Nay; S. 2986, CQ Vote #536: Passed (thus cleared for the president) 208-204: R 208-10; D 0-193; I 0-1, 11/18/04, Menendez Voted Nay; S. 2578, CQ Vote #279: Passed (thus cleared for the president) 215-214: R 212-6; D 3-206; I 0-2, 6/27/02, Menendez Voted Nay)
2004: Menendez: “President Bush’s Three-For-Three Record – Three [Debt Limit] Increases In Three Years – Is An Unmistakable Admission Of An Economic Debacle On His Hands. How Many More Increases Will It Take Before This Administration Comes To Its Senses?” (Rep. Bob Menendez, “Rep. Menendez: Republicans Continue Wholesale Abandonment Of Fiscal Discipline,” Press Release, 11/19/04)
- Menendez: “Republicans Charged Up Huge Bills With Their Failed Economic Agenda, And Now, After Realizing For A Third Time In Just Three Years That There’s Not Enough Money To Pay For It All, They’re Turning To The American Workers To Foot The Bill. … I Believe It Is Immoral To Cast Such A Huge Debt On The Next Generation Of Americans.” (Rep. Bob Menendez, “Rep. Menendez: Republicans Continue Wholesale Abandonment Of Fiscal Discipline,” Press Release, 11/19/04)
- Menendez: “These Repeated Debt Limit Increases Are Short-Term Band-Aids For The Bush Administration’s Catastrophic Fiscal Policies; But What America Needs Today Is A Long-Term Cure And Fiscal Discipline That Puts Our Economy Back On The Right Track.” (Rep. Bob Menendez, “Rep. Menendez: Republicans Continue Wholesale Abandonment Of Fiscal Discipline,” Press Release, 11/19/04)
2002: Menendez Led House Democrats In Opposing An Increase To The Debt Limit. “Nearly as soon as President Bush finished his speech Tuesday, confirming he would propose deficit spending, House Democrats signaled they would force Republicans to defend their tax cuts and spending priorities by challenging the expected vote to raise the debt ceiling.” (“House Dems To Challenge Bush On Debt Ceiling Hike,” Congress Daily, 1/30/02)
- “‘We’re Going To Call For Fiscal Discipline,’ Said House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Robert Menendez Of New Jersey. ‘One Of The Soon-To-Expire Issues Will Be The Vote To Raise The Debt Ceiling.’” (“House Dems To Challenge Bush On Debt Ceiling Hike,” Congress Daily, 1/30/02)
