For Three Years Sherrod Brown Has Failed To Perform The Most Basic Function Of His Job
Since 1973, liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown has been running for office and during his most recent campaign he said it was important that the United States pass a budget. Interestingly, after three years of failing to pass a budget, Brown is changing his tune and telling Ohioans that he isn’t concerned about passing a budget.
In fact, in the three years that Barack Obama and Sherrod Brown have controlled Washington, our national debt has increased by over $5 trillion – bringing the total debt to over $15.6 trillion.
In an effort to distance himself from supporting President Obama’s tax-and-spend policies into law, Brown recently told a television station in Lima that he doesn’t think passing a budget – which according to some Democrats is the most basic responsibility of governing – is that important.
Notably, it was Brown who was one of the first Democrats to praise President Barack Obama’s FY2012 budget.
“It’s been three years since liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown has performed the most basic responsibility of governing and that’s to pass a budget,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “Under Brown’s watch our national debt now exceeds $15 trillion. Ohioans don’t need any more excuses – they need Senator Brown to do his job.”
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)
