“For Hoosiers Who Like Higher Taxes, A Record Debt & ObamaCare,
They Will Love Joe Donnelly”
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Communications Director Brian Walsh issued the following statement in response to reports that liberal U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly (D-IN) will announce for the U.S. Senate in Indiana tomorrow:
“Just months after voters overwhelmingly rejected Brad Ellsworth’s liberal policies, Joe Donnelly wants to sell Hoosiers on that exact same big-spending, job-killing Washington agenda. We welcome him into the race and look forward to him campaigning side-by-side with President Obama.
“Just like Ellsworth, Donnelly has been a partisan rubber stamp for liberal Democrat leaders in Washington, helping them ram through ObamaCare and the failed $787 billion stimulus debacle. Hoosiers have made it clear that they’re not interested in more reckless spending, tax hikes and out-of-control debt in Washington – but Democrats like Joe Donnelly have long ignored the voices of Indiana’s families and job creators, and that’s why we’re confident this seat will remain in Republican hands.”
Click here for Background Info
Donnelly Voted In Favor Of $787 Billion Stimulus Bill. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #70: Adopted 246-183: R 0-176; D 246-7, 2/13/09, Donnelly Voted Yea)
Donnelly Said He Was “Pleased” That The Stimulus Passed And The Bill Will “Create And Save Much-Needed Jobs And Help Get Our Economy Back On Track.” “‘I was pleased that The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in the House of Representatives today,’ Donnelly said. ‘I voted for this legislation because it will create and save much-needed jobs and help get our economy back on track. Our current economic situation is too dire to do nothing, and I believe this stimulus plan is one of the answers to getting our economy back on the path to recovery.’” (Rep. Joe Donnelly Press Release, “Rep. Donnelly Lauds Passage Of Recovery And Reinvestment Plan,” 2/14/09)
Donnelly’s Press Release Stated The Stimulus Bill Will “Create Or Save” 3.5 Million Jobs – 75,000 In Indiana. “The compromise package of $789 billion will create or save 3.5 million jobs-75,000 in Indiana and 7,900 in north central Indiana. The jobs will be created in a wide range of industries from clean energy to health care, with over 90 percent in the private sector.” (Rep. Joe Donnelly Press Release, “Rep. Donnelly Lauds Passage Of Recovery And Reinvestment Plan,” 2/14/09)
DONNELLY GAVE DEMOCRATS A KEY VOTE IN SUPPORT OF OBAMACARE
Donnelly Voted To Pass The 2010 Health Care Bill
Donnelly Voted For The Final Version Of The Obama-Pelosi-Reid Health Care Bill That President Obama Later Signed Into Law. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #165: Motion Agreed To 219-212: R 0-178; D 219-34, 3/21/10, Donnelly Voted Yea)
Donnelly’s Support For The Bill Gave The Democrats A Key Vote
“Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Said An Indianapolis Star Headline. (Maureen Groppe, “Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)
“Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly’s Decision Sunday To Back A Health-Care Overhaul Package Helped Give Democrats The Votes Needed To Pass The Bill. The outcome became assured after a group of anti-abortion Democrats that included Donnelly announced Sunday afternoon that they had reached an agreement with the White House over abortion coverage.” (Maureen Groppe, “Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)
Donnelly Claimed The Health Care Bill Was Paid For And Would Not Add To The Debt
Donnelly Claimed That The Bill Would Not Add To The National Debt And Would Reduce The Deficit By $1.2 Trillion Over The Next 20 Years. Donnelly: “Perhaps equally important in these challenging economic times is getting our fiscal house in order, and the bill I will support today does just that. This bill helps our fiscal future because it would not add to the national debt. In fact, it would reduce our deficit $138 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years.” (Congressman Donnelly Press Release, “Congressman Donnelly Will Support Health Insurance Reform,” 3/21/10)
Donnelly Argued The Bill Will Reduce The Deficit Saying, “This Bill Is Paid For And Hopefully Will Save Big Money.” “Donnelly, an anti-abortion Democrat from Granger, said the bill, which passed the House late Sunday, will actually reduce the deficit. ‘This bill is paid for and hopefully will save big money,’ he said.” (Kim Kilbride, “Donnelly Explains ‘Yes’ Vote On Reform,” South Bend Tribune, 3/23/10)
“Finally, Donnelly Said He Believes The Bill Will Not Raise State Taxes, Nor Will It Take Away Jobs. ‘I See This As Adding To The Employment Rolls,’ He Said.” (Kim Kilbride, “Donnelly Explains ‘Yes’ Vote On Reform,” South Bend Tribune, 3/23/10)
But The Health Care Bill Will Increase Deficits By $562 Billion
Former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin: Without “Gimmicks And Budgetary Games,” The Health Care Reform Legislation Increases Deficits By $562 Billion. “In reality, if you strip out all the gimmicks and budgetary games and rework the calculus, a wholly different picture emerges: The health care reform legislation would raise, not lower, federal deficits, by $562 billion.”(Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Op-Ed, “The Real Arithmetic Of Health Care Reform,” The New York Times, 3/21/10)
Donnelly Voted For The Liberal House-Passed Health Care Bill Containing A Public Option
Donnelly Voted For The More Liberal House-Passed Health Care Bill Containing The Government-Run Public Option. (H.R. 3962, CQ Vote #887: Passed 220-215: R 1-176; D 219-39, 11/7/09, Donnelly Voted Yea)
Donnelly: “A Public Option Can Help Provide More Competition For The Private Sector.” (Scott Smith, “Donnelly Discusses Health Care: Moderate Democrats Exert Influence On Capitol Hill,” Kokomo Tribune, 7/25/09)
DONNELLY AND ELLSWORTH – TWO PEAS IN A POD ON HEALTH CARE
Donnelly And Ellsworth Decided Within Two Days Of Each Other To Support The Heath Care Bill
March 21, 2010: “Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly’s Decision Sunday To Back A Health-Care Overhaul Package Helped Give Democrats The Votes Needed To Pass The Bill.” (Maureen Groppe, “Ind. Dems Back Health Reform Bill,” The Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)
March 19, 2010: “Rep. Brad Ellsworth, Who Is Running For The Senate, On Friday Became The Second Indiana Democrat To Say He Supports The Latest Version Of The Health-Care Legislation That The House Is Expected To Vote On Sunday.” (Maureen Groppe, “Ellsworth Says He’ll Vote For Health Bill,” The Indianapolis Star, 3/20/10)
Donnelly And Ellsworth Cited Similar Reasons For Voting For The Health Care Bill
Ellsworth Said The Health Care Law Improves Access, Covers Pre-Existing Conditions, And Doesn’t Add A Penny To The Deficit. Ellsworth: “In addition to meeting my pro-life principles, the plan reduces costs, improves access to affordable insurance options, covers pre-existing conditions, and does not add one penny to the deficit – my five principles for health care reform.” (Jillian Rayfield, “Rep. Ellsworth Confirms He’ll Vote ‘Yes’ On Health Care,” TPM, 3/19/10)
Donnelly Said The Health Care Law:
· Doesn’t Add A Penny To The Deficit: “This Bill Helps Our Fiscal Future Because It Would Not Add To The National Debt.” (Rep. Joe Donnelly, Press Release, “Congressman Donnelly Will Support Health Insurance Reform,” 3/21/10)
Donnelly And Ellsworth Were Both Lobbied By The Same Big Labor Bosses
In November 2009, The SEIU Ran Identical Ads Thanking Donnelly And Ellsworth For Their Votes In Favor Of The House-Passed Health Care Bill. (“11-19-09 Ad: Congressman Ellsworth Showed Leadership Against Big Insurance,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=echFDBTMXIc, Accessed 4/4/11; “11-19-09 Ad: Congressman Donnelly Showed Leadership Against Big Insurance,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4uQVaLL0WM, Accessed 4/4/11 )
