After being in Washington for over two decades, where he’s been a fierce partisan for President Barack Obama’s job-killing agenda, today Ohioans are being reminded that while liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown has voted over 55 times in the Senate for higher taxes, he has been reluctant to pay his own taxes.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Sherrod Brown was late on paying his property taxes.  Additionally, this is not the first time Brown was late on his taxes as this also occurred in 2006 and 2007.

As the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

“Ohio Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown was more than four months delinquent in paying taxes on his Washington, D.C., apartment and had to pay a penalty and interest last week.  This was not the first time, records show.  Brown also was delinquent in 2006 and 2007 and paid penalties and interest, according to tax records from the District of Columbia.”  (Steve Koff, Sen. Sherrod Brown was delinquent on taxes for his D.C. condo, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 10/2/12)

“Sherrod Brown has voted over 55 times for higher taxes and has no problem telling small businesses owners in Ohio to pay their fair share, yet when it comes to his own taxes he’s consistently late,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Ohioans deserve a leader – like Josh Mandel – who they can trust and will work towards pro-growth, pro-jobs policies that will get Ohio working again.”     

BACKGROUND …

SHERROD BROWN’S TAX-AND-SPEND RECORD

Since Coming To The Senate In 2007, Brown Has Voted At Least 55 Times In Favor Of Higher Taxes. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 6/20/11)

Brown Voted Against The 2001 Republican Tax Cuts. “Adoption of the conference report on the bill that would reduce taxes by $1.35 trillion through fiscal 2011 through income tax rate cuts, relief of the ‘marriage penalty,’ a phaseout of the federal estate tax, doubling the child tax credit, and providing incentives for retirement savings. A new 10 percent tax rate would be created retroactive to Jan. 1, and taxpayers would get rebate checks this summer of $300 for singles and $600 for couples. The bill would double the $500-per-child tax credit by 2010 and make it refundable; raise the estate tax exemption to $1 million in 2002 and repeal the tax in 2010; increase the standard deduction for married couples to double that of singles, beginning in 2005; and increase annual limits on contributions for Individual Retirement Accounts to $5,000.” (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #149: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 240-154: R 211-0; D 28-153; I 1-1, 5/26/01, Brown Voted Nay)

• Brown: “It Is Really Shameless That, At A Time Of Shared Sacrifice During Wartime, Leading Republicans In This City Are Giving Tax Cuts To The Richest People In This Country.” (Sabrina Eaton, “Rancor Returns As Parties Argue Tax Cuts And Airport Security,” Plain Dealer, [Cleveland, OH], 11/1/01)

Brown Voted Against The 2003 Republican Tax Cuts. “Adoption of the conference report on the bill that would provide $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. It would provide $20 billion in state aid that consists of $10 billion for Medicaid and $10 billion to be used at states’ discretion. The agreement includes a new top tax rate of 15 percent on capital gains and dividends through 2007 (5 percent for lower-income taxpayers in 2007 and no tax in 2008). Income tax cuts enacted in 2001 and scheduled to take effect in 2006 would be accelerated. The child tax credit would increase to $1,000 through 2004. The standard deduction for married couples would be double that for a single filer through 2004. Tax breaks for businesses would include increasing the deduction that small businesses could take on investments to $100,000 through 2005.” (H.R. 2, CQ Vote #225: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 231-200: R 224-1; D 7-198; I 0-1, 5/23/03, Brown Voted Nay)

In 2010, Brown Opposed Extending The Tax Cuts For Incomes More Than $250,000

Brown Voted For Cloture On A Bill That Would Have Let The Republican Tax Cuts Expire On Income Up To $200,000 For Individuals And $250,000 For Joint Filers.“Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with a further Baucus, D-Mont., substitute amendment no. 4727 that would make permanent the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts on income up to $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for married couples filing joint returns. The extensions would include current lower tax rates for capital gains and dividends, elimination of the “marriage penalty” and an expansion of the increased child tax credit. It also would extend unemployment insurance benefits for 13 months.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #258: Motion rejected 53-36: R 0-31; D 52-4; I 1-1, 12/4/10, Brown Voted Yea)

Brown Voted For Cloture On A Bill That Would Have Let The Republican Tax Cuts Expire On Incomes Over $1 Million. “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with a further Schumer, D-N.Y., substitute amendment no. 4728 that would generally make permanent the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts on income up to $1 million. The extensions would include current lower tax rates for capital gains and dividends, elimination of the “marriage penalty” and an expansion of the increased child tax credit. It also would extend unemployment insurance benefits for one year.” (H.R. 4853, CQ Vote #259: Motion rejected 53-37: R 0-32; D 52-4; I 1-1, 12/4/10, Brown Voted Yea, Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 6/20/11)

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Brown has been at the national level of government representing the people of Ohio since 1993, first as a US Representative, and for the past 5 years as a US Senator. In his time as a Senator, his voting record has made him the number one most liberal senator in the US.

Brown voted for the failed economic stimulus and rammed the Healthcare Bill through Congress that costs taxpayers $1.76 trillion and cut $21 billion from Ohio seniors who depend on Medicare. Brown’s liberal policies have been running Ohio into the ground since the day he took office. Ohio needs leadership that will address the economic difficulties of the state, not liberal tax-and-spend mentality.

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It was a little more than two years ago, when liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown rammed his $1.76 trillion healthcare bill through Congress, which cut over $700 billion from Medicare and today a new report details the exact impact this will have on Ohio.

According to the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business, these cuts will take approximately $21 billion from seniors in Ohio who depend on Medicare.

• Over The Next 10 Years, ObamaCare Will Cut $21 Billion From Medicare Plans That Ohio Seniors Rely On For Their Health Care Needs. (Robert A. Book and Michael Ramlet, “What Is The Regional Impact Of The Medicare Fee-For-Service And Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions,” University Of Minnesota’s Carlson School Of Management, 9/12)

Notably, earlier this week it was reported that those who disobey the individual mandate would be subjected to a fine of approximately $1,200.

“It’s simply remarkable that Sherrod Brown voted for a healthcare bill that cut $21 billion from seniors in Ohio who depend on Medicare,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “This non-partisan report is a sobering reminder that Sherrod Brown’s liberal agenda is wrong for the Buckeye State.”

BACKGROUND….

Sherrod Brown Cut $716 Billion From Medicare To Pay For Obamacare –  A Cut The Obama Campaign Now Refers To As An Achievement:

According To The Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Obamacare Cuts $716 Billion From Medicare. (Congressional Budget Office, Letter To Speaker John Boehner, 7/24/12)

·       Miami Herald: “Obama’s $700 Billion Medicare-Cut Problem” (Marc Caputo, “Obama’s $700 Billion Medicare-Cut Problem,” Miami Herald, 8/12/12)

President Obama’s Senior Campaign Aide Has Bragged That President Obama “Achieved” $700 Billion In “Cuts In Medicare.” CUTTER: “Well, you know ask the wealthy to pay a little bit more. Cut waste from the government. Reform Medicare. More than $300 billion in savings from Medicare. On top of the savings we’ve already achieved. You know I heard Mitt Romney deride the $700 billion cuts in Medicare that the president achieved through health care reform.” (CBS’s “Face The Nation,” 8/12/12)

Brown’s Medicare Cuts Will Jeopardize Benefits For Seniors – Reducing Access To Care And Driving Millions From Medicare Advantage:

The Medicare Actuary Has Estimated 15% Of “Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, And Home Health Agencies” Will Be In The Red Before The Decade Is Over. “In the Office of the Actuary‘s April 22, 2010 memorandum on the estimated financial effects of the Affordable Care Act, we noted that by 2019 the update reductions would result in negative total facility margins for about 15 percent of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. This estimated percentage would continue to increase, reaching roughly 25 percent in 2030 and 40 percent by 2050. In practice, providers could not sustain continuing negative margins and, absent legislative changes, would have to withdraw from providing services to Medicare beneficiaries, merge with other provider groups, or shift substantial portions of Medicare costs to their non-Medicare, non-Medicaid payers.” (“Projected Expenditures Under An Illustrative Scenario With Alternative Payment Updates To Medicare Providers,” Center For Medicare & Medicaid Services, 5/13/11)

52 Percent Of Doctors Say Obamacare Will Compel Them To Close Or Significantly Restrict Their Practices To Medicare Patients. (Merritt Hawkins, “Health Reform and the Decline of Physician Private Practice,” The Physicians Foundation, October 2010)

Obamacare’s Cuts Will Cause Enrollment In Medicare Advantage To “Plummet By About 50 Percent” And Leave Seniors With “Higher Out-Of-Pocket Costs.” “In addition to flagging provider cuts as potentially unsustainable, the report [HHS] projected that reductions in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans would trigger an exodus from the popular alternative. Enrollment would plummet by about 50 percent. Seniors leaving the private plans would still have health insurance under traditional Medicare, but many might face higher out-of-pocket costs.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Report Says Health Care Will Cover More, Cost More,” The Associated Press, 4/23/10)

·       The Medicare Trustees Project These Cuts Will Drive 4 Million Seniors Out Of Medicare Advantage Plans By 2018. (Medicare Trustees Report, 4/23/12)

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Over two years ago, liberal Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown supported President Obama’s $1.76 trillion healthcare bill which forced every Ohioan to purchase health insurance and yesterday the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released a report on how devastating this tax is for middle-class families.

According to the report, nearly 6 million Americans – most of whom are middle class individuals – will be forced to pay the ObamaCare tax penalty for not purchasing healthcare.  Additionally, this tax is expected to cost each individual approximately $1,200.

As the Associated Press reports:

“Nearly 6 million Americans – most of them in the middle class – will face a tax penalty for not carrying medical coverage once President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law is fully in place, congressional budget analysts said Wednesday. … And the budget office analysis found that nearly 80 percent of those who’ll face the penalty would be making up to or less than five times the federal poverty level. Currently that would work out to $55,850 or less for an individual and $115,250 or less for a family of four.”  (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Tax Penalty To Hit Nearly 6M Uninsured People,Associated Press, 9/19/12)

Notably, the Wall Street Journal reported that ObamaCare was the largest tax increase ever on the middle class.

“This non-partisan report makes clear that when Senator Brown helped ram ObamaCare into law, he voted to impose a massive tax hike on the backs of Ohio families and small businesses,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “What’s even more disturbing is that Brown is so liberal that he believes ObamaCare doesn’t go far enough.  In Senator Brown’s world we would have a complete government takeover of health care, even higher tax hikes, and an even bigger government debt.”

BACKGROUND….

CBO: ObamaCare Tax Hits Middle Class

New CBO Data Shows That 80 Percent Of Those Paying ObamaCare’s Mandate Tax Will BeFamilies Earning Less Than $123K

·      “Congressional budget analysts are now estimating that nearly 6 million Americans — most of them in the middle class — will have to pay a tax penalty for not getting health insurance once President Barack Obama’s health care law is fully in place. That’s 2 million more than a previous estimate found…”(“Tax Penalty To Hit Nearly 6M Uninsured People,” AP, 9/19/12)

·      “The average penalty will be nearly $1,200.” (“Tax Penalty To Hit Nearly 6M Uninsured People,” AP, 9/19/12)

·      Four out of five who will pay penalty have an adjusted gross income of less than $123,000. (“Payments Of Penalties For Being Uninsured Under The Affordable Care Act,” CBO, P.2, 9/12)

Household Income Down: ‘Middle Class Lost Ground Again Last Year’

The Washington Post: “The middle class lost ground again last year, falling to an all-time low in their share of how much income they take in, new census data released Wednesday showed.” (“Census: Middle Class Shrinks To An All-Time Low,” The Washington Post, 9/12/12)

U.S. Census Bureau: “Real median household income in the United States in 2011 was $50,054, a 1.5 percent decline from the 2010 median and the second consecutive annual drop.” (“Income, Poverty And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2011 Press Release” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12/12)

·       Household income down $777. “2010 Median income, All households: $50,831 … 2011 Median income, All households: $50,054.” (“Income, Poverty And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2011 Press Release” U.S. Census Bureau, P.6, 9/12/12)

·       “In 2011, real median household income was 8.1 percent lower than in 2007,the year before the most recent recession…” (“Income, Poverty And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2011 Press Release” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12/12)

·       “Real median earnings of both men and women who worked full time, year-round declined by 2.5 percent between 2010 and 2011.” (“Income, Poverty And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2011 Press Release” U.S. Census Bureau, 9/12/12)

And We Can’t Forget That Sherrod Brown Supported An Even More Radical Version Of Government-Run Healthcare

 In 2009, Brown Voted For Socialist Bernie Sanders’ Single-Payer Amendment To The Health Care Bill During A Senate HELP Committee Markup. “Members shot down an amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) providing grants for states to plan and implement a single-payer health plan. Sanders’ amendment was defeated 17-4, with only Sanders and Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) voting for it.” (Stephen Langel, “Markup Report: HELP Finishes Amendments; Passage Of Health Care Bill Expected Wednesday,” Roll Call’s CongressNow, 7/14/09)

BROWN: “Well, I Originally Was For Single Payer, Medicare For All.” (MSNBC’s, “The Ed Show,” 10/27/09)

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Nearly four years ago, President Barack Obama and liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown rammed a $825 billion stimulus into law that was supposed to “create or save” 133,000 jobs in Ohio, yet today’s jobs report reiterates that their failed economic policies are not working.

As the Wall Street Journal reports:

JOB GROWTH SLOWS SHARPLY IN AUGUST: Job growth slowed sharply in August, the Labor Department said Friday. Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 96,000, lower than the 125,000 gain expected by Wall Street economists.  Adding to the sense of weakness, job growth in the past two months were revised down by 41,000.  The unemployment rate declined to 8.1% in August from 8.3% in the previous month but the drop was due to a smaller labor force.  Economists forecast the unemployment rate to hold steady at 8.3%.  Average hourly earnings were flat at $23.52.  Earnings are up 1.7% in the past year. The average workweek was unchanged at 34.3 hours. (Greg Robb, Job growth slows sharply in August, Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch, 9/7/12)

Notably, according to Brown and his fellow Democrats if their policies actually worked, the national unemployment rate would be well below 6 percent by now.

“We’ve tried the failed policies of President Obama and Sherrod Brown and today’s report is just further proof that their tax-and-spend agenda are not working,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “Ohioans simply cannot afford six more years of Sherrod Brown’s failed economic leadership and it’s time to send a true reformer like Josh Mandel to Washington.”

BACKGROUND….

Brown & Obama Promised The Stimulus Would ‘Create Or Save’ 133,00 Ohio Jobs

Brown Predicted The Stimulus Would Create As Many As 133,000 Jobs In Ohio.Brown: “Ohio will receive more than $8 billion to help create as many as 133,000 Ohio jobs.” (Senator Sherrod Brown Website, www.brown.senate.gov, Accessed 1/26/11)

And That The Unemployment Rate Today Would Be Less Than 6%  

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WASHINGTON – In an attempt to distract voters from his vote for the $1.76 trillion healthcare law and the failed $825 billion stimulus, today Sherrod Brown whined about outside money that’s exposing his liberal record to voters in Ohio.

Yet, according to FEC reports Sherrod Brown has actually taken more PAC and lobbyist money than his opponent.

• Sherrod Brown Has Raised $1.6 Million From Business PACs. (Center For Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/pacs.php?cycle=2012&id=OHS1, Accessed 9/5/12)
• Josh Mandel Has Raised $444,061 From Business PACs. (Center For Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/pacs.php?cycle=2012&id=OHS1, Accessed 9/5/12)
• Sherrod Brown Has Raised $1.5 Million From Lawyers And Law Firms. (Center For Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indus.php?cycle=2012&id=OHS1, Accessed 9/5/12)
• Josh Mandel Has Raised $362,414 From Lawyers And Law Firms. (Center For Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indus.php?cycle=2012&id=OHS1, Accessed 9/5/12)

Additionally, National Democrats have reserved $6.3 million in airtime for Brown, and just purchase additional airtime to smear Treasurer Josh Mandel.

“It’s ironic that Sherrod Brown is whining about outside money since he has taken more PAC money than his opponent,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Given that Brown has voted for ObamaCare and the failed stimulus, voters deserve to know what other liberal job-killing policies their senior senator has supported.”

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WASHINGTON – Last month the top Senate Democrat leaders who are overseeing liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown’s campaign for Senate made clear that they were willing to allow the country to go over a “fiscal cliff” unless their demands for massive tax hikes were met.

But today, a new report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) made clear that as a result of the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend policies, we are already headed in that direction.  The report shows that the economy would go into a recession and unemployment would increase if the Democrats’ proposed small business tax hike and massive defense cuts are put into effect.

“Today’s report is just the latest evidence that the failed economic policies trumpeted by Sherrod Brown and President Obama are driving our country over a fiscal cliff,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox said today.  “From the reckless spending to the massive expansion of government in ObamaCare, Sherrod Brown has marched in virtual lockstep with President Obama and their failed policies are hurting Ohioans.

“Under the Obama-Brown economy, we’ve had 43 straight months of unemployment above 8 percent, a skyrocketing debt that’s now reached almost $16 trillion, and four straight years of trillion dollar deficits.  This report is yet another big wake-up call that Ohio simply can’t afford four more years of Obama and Brown’s failed economic policies,” Wilcox concluded.

BACKGROUND….

CBO Projects ‘Significant Recession,’ ‘Jobless Rate Rising’

NATIONAL JOURNAL: “CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession” (“CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession,” National Journal, 8/22/12)

NEW YORK TIMES: “…if Congress takes no action to stave off tax increases due and automatic budget cuts scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, the economy could fall into a recession, with total output shrinking and the jobless rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of 2013… Fears about tax increases and spending cuts — the ‘fiscal tightening’ — are depressing economic growth…” (“Report Sees Risk Of Recession If Budget Stalemate Persists,” The New York Times, 8/22/12)

WASHINGTON POST: “The nation would be plunged into a significant recession during the first half of next year if Congress fails to avert nearly $500 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts set to hit in January…” (“Significant Recession Imminent If Congress Doesn’t Act On Fiscal Cliff: CBO Report,” The Washington Post, 8/22/12)

REUTERS: “…even worse economic damage than previously thought if Washington fails to come up with a solution, Congress’ budget referee said on Wednesday.” (“U.S. CBO Sees Deeper ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Recession Next Year,” Reuters, 8/22/12)

AP: “… fresh, dire projections by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” (“Analysts: Recession Likely Without Budget Accord,” AP, 8/22/12)

CBO: “…a recession, with real GDP declining by 0.5 percent between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2013 and the unemployment rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of calendar year 2013.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022, Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

Under Senate Democrats’ We Are Now Facing A Fourth Straight Year Of Trillion Dollar Deficits

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Is Predicting The Fourth Straight Deficit To Exceed $1 Trillion At $1.1 Trillion. “Congress’ nonpartisan budget analysts are projecting a $1.1 trillion federal deficit for 2012, the fourth straight year the government’s shortfall will exceed $1 trillion.” (“Analysts Project $1.1T Federal Deficit This Year,” The Associated Press, 8/22/12)

• CBO: “The Federal Budget Deficit For Fiscal Year 2012 … Will Total $1.1 Trillion … Marking The Fourth Year In A Row With A Deficit Of More Than $1 Trillion.”(“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,” Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

CBO: “The Amount Of Federal Debt Held By The Public Has Skyrocketed In The Past Few Years, Rising From 40 Percent Of GDP At The End Of 2008 To An Estimated 73 Percent By The End Of This Year.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,”Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

• According To The CBO, Federal Debt Held By The Public Will Reach The Highest Levels Since The 1950s. ”Federal debt held by the public will reach 73 percent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year-the highest level since 1950 and about twice the 36 percent of GDP that it measured at the end of 2007, before the financial crisis and recent recession.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,”Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

Senate Democrats’ Plan —  ‘Risk Racing Over The Fiscal Cliff’

“…Democratic Senator Patty Murray said her party is willing to risk racing over the fiscal cliff and into financial chaos in 2013.” (“US Lawmakers Head Home, Severe Challenges Loom,” AFP, 8/4/12)

“Democrats say they are prepared to go over the so-called fiscal cliff at the end of the year …” (“Democrats Risk Fiscal Cliff By Targeting Top Earners’ Break,” Bloomberg News, 7/10/12)

·       “Democrats have made clear that they are ready to allow tax rates to rise and automatic cuts to kick in for both defense and domestic programs… Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who outlined the Democratic strategy in a speech this month, put the GOP on notice that her party would rather plunge off the fiscal cliff than extend tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. White House aides pointedly backed Murray’s threat on Tuesday.” (“Democrats Waxing Tough On Fiscal Cliff,” National Journal, 7/25/12)

·       SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): “So if we can’t get a good deal… then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013… our country is going to have to face the consequences…” (Sen. Murray, Remarks At The Brookings Institute, 7/16/12)

·       SEN. MARK BEGICH (D-AK): “There are more people today than before that say let this all just expire out.” (“Geithner Meets Murray Amid Fears Lawmakers Might Not Stop Fiscal Cliff,”The Hill, 8/2/12)

·       SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Q: “Do you agree with Senator Murray that if you do not get a balanced deal, you’ll fight this into 2013?” SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “…Patty Murray knows what she’s talking about.” (Sen. Reid, Press Briefing, 7/17/12)

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WASHINGTON — As liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown skips out on another event by President Barack Obama, Ohioans know he’s there in spirit because Brown has supported the President’s failed agenda 95 percent of the time.

Brown supported the President’s first $825 billion stimulus – which he promised would help shovel-ready projects like the Brent Spence Bridge – and was also one of the few Democrats who supported his second $450 billion stimulus.

Additionally, Brown also supported the President’s effort to gut $700 billion from Medicare to pay for ObamaCare.  And he supported the EPA’s job-killing regulations against the coal industry in Ohio.

“While Sherrod Brown skips another Obama rally, it doesn’t change the fact that he has supported the President’s job-killing agenda a whopping 95 percent of the time,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “With 415,000 unemployed Ohioans, the Buckeye State deserves a President and Senator – like Mitt Romney and Josh Mandel – who will enact pro-growth, pro-jobs policies that will get Ohio working again.”   

BACKGROUND …

Brown Is A Strong Supporter Of President Obama’s Failed Agenda

Brown Voted To Pass The Senate Version Of The $2.5 Trillion Obama-Reid Health Care Bill. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #396: Passed 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/24/09, Brown Voted Yea)

• A Top Obama Campaign Adviser Lauded “The $700 Billion Cuts In Medicare That The President Achieved” Through Obamacare. CUTTER: “You know I heard Mitt Romney deride the $700 billion cuts in Medicare that the president achieved through health care reform.” (CBS’s “Face The Nation,” 8/12/12)

Brown Voted For The Stimulus Bill. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #64: Adopted 60-38; R 3-38; D 55-0; I 2-0, 2/13/09, Brown Voted Yea)

• Sherrod Brown Said The First Stimulus Would Help Fund The “Shovel Ready” Brent Spence Bridge In January of 2009. BROWN: “But we do need to do direct spending on job creation. That means shovel-ready projects for water and sewer systems, whether it’s the Brent Spence bridge in Cincinnati, that will put a lot of people to work and help with economic development, or whether it’s a water and sewer system in Defiance, Ohio, or in Nashville.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 1/28/09)

Brown Voted Against An Amendment Which Would Have Blocked The EPA From Regulating Carbon Dioxide And Other Greenhouse Gasses. “McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 183 that would block the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.” (S. 493, CQ Vote #54: Rejected 50-50: R 46-1; D 4-47; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Brown Voted Nay)

National Journal Has Ranked Sherrod Brown Has The Most Liberal Senator Two Years In A Row (2009 And 2010). (Carrie Mihalcik, “Most Liberal Members Of Congress,” National Journal, 2/28/11; “National Journal’s Vote Rankings: The Top 10,” National Journal’s Hotline On Call Blog, 2/26/10)

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As reports continue to surface that President Obama’s Administration has gutted a key provision of the Welfare Reform Act that would require welfare recipients to work, Ohioans are reminded that in 1996, Sherrod Brown opposed his party and President Bill Clinton’s attempt to overhaul welfare.

While President Obama defends his Administration, it’s worth noting that Sherrod Brown was one of the few Congressional Members to vote against this bipartisan bill that fixed the welfare program.  

“As Americans continue to discuss the Obama Administration’s unilateral decision to change welfare, it’s worth noting that Sherrod Brown is far to the left of his party on this issue because he voted against President Clinton’s welfare-to-work law in 1996,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Ohioans deserve a Senator who will fight to restore common-sense solutions to the issues they face every day, not someone like Senator Brown whose main goal is to expand the size of government with free handouts.”   

BACKGROUND …

SHERROD BROWN VOTED AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON’SWELFARE OVERHAUL, PUTTING HIM TO THE FAR LEFT OF HIS OWN PARTY

Brown Was One Of Only 100 Congressmen To Vote Against The Welfare Overhaul Bill In 1996. “Adoption of the conference report on the bill to reduce spending over six years by about $54.1 billion, mostly by cutting aid to legal immigrants and scaling back food stamp and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) spending. The bill would end the federal guarantee of welfare benefits, give states broad discretion over their own programs through block grants, generally require welfare recipients to work within two years of receiving benefits and limit recipients to five years of welfare benefits. The bill also would impose tighter eligibility standards on low-income children seeking SSI benefits due to disability and deny most legal immigrants SSI and food stamp benefits.” (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #383: Adopted by a vote of 328-101: R 230-2; D 98-98, 7/31/96, Sherrod Brown Voted Nay)

AND NOW BARACK OBAMA HAS ENDED WELFARE AS WE KNOW IT

THE YOUNGTOWN VINDICATOR: “Clinton Signed The Welfare Reform Bill … Yet Now The Obama Administration Wants To Let States Opt Out Of The Bill’s Work Requirement, Which Forced Many People To Get Jobs.” “While Clinton was willing to compromise with congressional Republicans, Obama and congressional Democrats are not. … Yet now the Obama administration wants to let states opt out of the bill’s work requirement, which forced many people to get jobs. Instead of requiring people to work, Health and Human Services wants to grant states waivers to the work provision so that they can ‘test alternative and innovative strategies, policies, and procedures that are designed to improve employment outcomes for needy families.’” (Editorial, “Obama Is No Bill Clinton,” The Youngstown Vindicator, 8/3/12)

·       THE YOUNGTOWN VINDICATOR: “What Alternative Strategy Is There To An Honest Day’s Work For An Honest Day’s Pay?” (Editorial, “Obama Is No Bill Clinton,” The Youngstown Vindicator, 8/3/12)

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OhioAmerican Energy specifically notes that the only reason they’re closing their operation – which will eliminate 239 jobs – is because of President Obama and Sherrod Brown’s job-killing regulations.

As OhioAmerican Energy’s Press Release Reads:

“OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. (“OhioAmerican”), a Subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation (“Murray Energy”), today announced the closure of its coal mining operations near Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio.  Regulatory actions by President Barack Obama and his appointees and followers were cited as the entire reason. “Mr. Obama has already destroyed 83,000 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation in America,” said Mr. Michael T. W. Carey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Murray Energy.”  (OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. Coal Mining  Operation Closed In Eastern Ohio, Press Release, 7/31/12)

Notably, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association released a report that found President Obama and Senator Brown’s war on coal could kill 53,000 jobs in the Buckeye State.  Additionally, given that coal accounts for 86 percent of Ohio’s energy, it’s no wonder the study also found that these regulations will cause energy rates to increase by 13 percent in the Buckeye State.

“The consequence of Sherrod Brown siding with extreme environmentalists instead of hard-working families in Ohio is simple: 239 hardworking Ohioans have lost their jobs,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “If Sherrod Brown and Barack Obama continue their war on coal, soon 53,000 Ohioans will be out of a job and energy rates will increase by 13 percent.”   

BACKGROUND …

Brown Supports The EPA’s Job-Killing Cap-And-Trade Mandate

Brown Voted Against An Amendment Which Would Have Blocked The EPA From Regulating Carbon Dioxide And Other Greenhouse Gasses. “McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 183 that would block the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.” (S. 493, CQ Vote #54: Rejected 50-50: R 46-1; D 4-47; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Brown Voted Nay)

• Knowing Full Well That Obama’s EPA Regulations Could Be “Burdensome” And Could Harm Economic Growth. “A key Midwestern Senate Democrat on Monday called on the Obama administration to reconsider its approach to greenhouse gas regulation, as EPA critics weigh their legislative options for blocking the new rules. Ohio’s Sherrod Brown called the new permitting requirements for large emitters ‘burdensome’ and said they could harm economic growth, echoing the concerns of industry and GOP lawmakers.” (Geof Koss, “Ohio’s Brown Is Latest Senate Democrat To Criticize EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules,” Congressional Quarterly, 2/28/11)

Which Will Kill 53,000 Ohio Jobs

New EPA Rules Threaten 50 Ohio Jobs At Dayton Power & Light Plant. “Facing the prospect of having to shut down a coal-burning power plant that employs 50, Dayton Power & Light said it’s studying a plan to repower the O.H. Hutchings Station plant here with natural gas as a way to keep the facility along the Great Miami River operating.” (Steve Bennish, “EPA Rules To Force Old Coal Plants To Adapt, Close,” Dayton Daily News, 1/6/12)

• Dayton Power & Light Plant Is The Latest Among Ohio Coal Plants To Be Threatened By The Obama Administration. “Large Ohio coal plants will go dark within a few years. Duke Energy announced that the Walter C. Beckjord Generating Station in Clermont County east of Cincinnati will cease operating coal-fired units in 2015. … Other Ohio utilities have announced coal-burning power plants headed for closure, including American Electric Power in Columbus. AEP said it would close two West Virginia plants and one Ohio plant, Picway. Two other Ohio plants, Conesville and Muskingum River, would close generating units.” (Steve Bennish, “EPA Rules To Force Old Coal Plants To Adapt, Close,” Dayton Daily News, 1/6/12)

The EPA’s Regulation Will Shut Down The Muskingum River Coal-Fired Power Plant.  The Muskingum River coal-fired power plant in Ohio is nearing the end of its life.  AEP, one of the country’s biggest coal-based utilities, says it will cut 159 jobs when it shuts the decades-old plant in three years — sooner than it would like — because of new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Jia Lynn Yang, Do regulations cost jobs?, Washington Post, 11/15/11)

And Increase Energy Rates On Families In Ohio By 13 Percent

OHIO MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION:  National Economic Research Associates, a firm that evaluates economic impacts for government agencies, associations and businesses, in a preliminary analysis for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity projects that Utility MACT and CSAPR will result in 1.4 million lost jobs nationally over the next nine years, including 53,500 jobs in Ohio. And that’s net job losses, because the research takes into account jobs created by the two new rules as well those that will be lost.  Additionally, according to NERA, utilities’ compliance costs for the two regulations would total $17 billion annually and electricity costs in Ohio would increase by about 13 percent. (Kevin Schmidt, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Columbus Dispatch, 10/20/11)

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