“Policy Tour” likely won’t mention  supporting ObamaCare, Stimulus

On a so-called policy tour of Indiana, Congressman Joe Donnelly today told WIBC radio that he is in favor of raising taxes on Hoosiers in order to solve our nation’s budget deficit.

Donnelly’s support of tax increases should come as no surprise considering he’s been an ardent backer of President Obama’s economic agenda throughout the last three years:

• Donnelly voted for the failed stimulus program driving us even further into debt
• Donnelly provided a key vote for ObamaCare which is raising taxes, driving up the cost of health care across the country, and hurting small businesses in Indiana

As Cong. Donnelly tours Indiana this week and talks about all the nifty ideas he now has to create jobs – maybe he will explain why he would vote for a $787 billion spending plan wrought with waste and a massive government takeover of health care that is killing jobs in Indiana and driving up costs across the country.

“Considering Cong. Donnelly voted for the failed stimulus and ObamaCare, which includes hundreds of new taxes and fees, it should come as no surprise he’s now supporting even more tax increases to solve our budget crisis,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Spokesman Lance Trover. “Hopefully Cong. Donnelly will be honest with the hardworking men and women of Indiana this week and explain to them why he continually supports President Obama’s far left tax-and-spend agenda, which is killing jobs across the country.”

DONNELLY VOTED FOR OBAMACARE

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 Voted For The Reconciliation Package. (H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #167: Passed 220-211: R 0-178; D 220-33, 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)

DONNELLY VOTED FOR THE STIMULUS
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 Was “Pleased” With The Passage Of The Stimulus

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)

From Fort Wayne To Evansville to Terre Haute, Joe Donnelly’s Healthcare Law Is Literally Killing Jobs Across Indiana

“Exodus” Of Insurance Companies Will Likely Result In “Fewer Choices And Higher Costs For Consumers.” “However, consumer advocates say the exodus of Aetna and other companies likely will result in fewer choices and higher costs for consumers under health insurance exchanges to be established in 2013 under the federal health care overhaul.” (“Aetna Latest Out Of Ind. Individual Market,” The Associated Press, 8/3/11)

Navistar International Corp. Has Decided To Relocate And Shut Down Its Fort Wayne Operations, Which Employs 1,400 People. “Navistar International Corp. is relocating, but that’s not a signal a slew of ‘For Sale’ signs will sprout across Fort Wayne, housing officials say. The maker of commercial and military trucks confirmed Wednesday it will cut ties to northeast Indiana by announcing it will consolidate some operations in Lisle, Ill., and the suburban Chicago area. The company’s Fort Wayne workforce includes 1,400, many of them engineers.” (Paul Wyche, “Realtors Doubt ‘Mass Exodus’ To Illinois,” The Journal Gazette, 9/9/10)

Aetna And Cigna Corp. Have Recently Withdrawn From The Individual Health Insurance Market In Indiana. “Hartford-based Aetna Inc. and Philadelphia-based Cigna Corp., which are the third- and fifth-largest health insurers respectively, have announced their departure from Indiana’s individual health insurance market.” (J.K. Wall, “Five Individual Insurers Leaving Indiana,” Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/8/11)

The Exit Of These Insurance Companies In Indiana Leaves Over 20,000 Hoosiers Without Health Care Coverage. “In addition, Illinois-based Pekin Insurance, Michigan-based American Community Mutual Insurance Co. and New York-based Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America also have decided to leave the individual market. The five companies covered more than 20,000 Hoosiers, or about 10 percent of all those who have individual health insurance.” (J.K. Wall, “Five Individual Insurers Leaving Indiana,” Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/8/11)