Obama-Brown Budget Promises More Of The Same Failed Economic Policies
Despite repeated promises by President Barack Obama and liberal Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown to cut the deficit in half by the end of Obama’s first term in office, the President today submitted a budget to Congress which projects an even higher federal deficit than last year, while marking the fourth straight year of trillion-dollar-plus deficits. In fact, in just three years, Democrats in Washington have added $4.7 trillion to the national debt — bringing the total debt to over $15.3 trillion.
In an effort to deflect himself from supporting Obama’s tax-and-spend policies into law, Brown recently told a Cleveland radio station that he doesn’t think passing a budget – which according to some Democrats is the most basic function of government – is all that meaningful. This is a remarkable turn of events, given that exactly one year ago Brown was touting Obama’s FY 2012 budget.
Additionally, during his campaign for the U.S. Senate, Brown even campaigned on passing a budget and expressed his support for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
“It’s remarkable that Sherrod Brown would tell Ohioans that passing a budget is not that meaningful, because not only did he tout Obama’s 2012 budget, but he even campaigned on a balanced budget,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.
“The national debt now exceeds the U.S. GDP, and yet the answer from President Obama and Sherrod Brown is to tax more, spend more, and charge more to the credit card of future generations,” Wilcox concluded.
BACKGROUND …
In 2006, Brown Said The Republicans’ Failure To Pass A Budget Was An Important Story. “Asked about the GOP statements, Brown said the more important story last week was the GOP’s failure to pass a budget because of objections from Republican moderates who feel that GOP leaders want to cut spending too severely. He complained that Republicans are trying to bait journalists into focusing only on tax cuts, instead of examining how tax cuts have contributed to spending cuts on education, veterans’ benefits and home heating programs.” (Elizabeth Auster, “Taxes Are A Hot Issue, Any Way You Frame It,” Plain Dealer [Cleveland, OH], 5/14/06)
In 2006, Brown Said He Supported A Balanced Budget Amendment. “I stood up to a President of my own party . . . In support of the Balance Budget Amendment, in restoring fiscal sanity to our government. I agree with Senator Voinovich that Mike DeWine and others have betrayed conservative principles of limited government. I want to go to the Senate and work with Senator Voinovich on sound tax policy that benefits the middle class, without burying our grandchildren in debt.” (Ohio Senate Debate, City Club Of Cleveland, 10/27/06)
In 2011, Brown Said That Obama’s Budget Would Cut The Deficit In Half For Obama’s First Term. “The President’s budget proposal will put us on track to cut the deficit in half in his first term while maintaining economic recovery efforts. By not turning our backs on priorities that promote America’s competitiveness – like education, innovation, infrastructure, and energy – the proposal is forward-looking and responsible.” (Sherrod Brown, Sen. Brown Statement on President’s Budget Request, Press Release, 02/14/11)
In 2012, Brown Said The Passing A Budget Is Not That Meaningful. “Because of the Budget Act we did, the budget is not even signed by the President. It’s a good talking point for Republicans. But the fact is that we’ve had a Budget Act where where we have that plan set out. The budget’s only for a year or two. The Budget Act is for 5 and 10 years down the road. So I think that’s a good sound bite to use but I don’t think [passing a budget] all that meaningful. (Sherrod Brown, WMJI 105.7 FM Radio, 02/10/11)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO SHERROD BROWN
