Supposed "moderate" Frank Wolf proves once again that he's just another lockstep, ideological conservative Republican. Check out Wolf's statement on his vote against the "stimulus" (aka, economic rescue) package that is so crucial to get this country moving forward again:I understand that Americans are hurting. Many have lost their jobs, are unable to pay their mortgage, don’t have health insurance and are struggling to make ends meet. Small businesses have especially felt the brunt of the recession. Congress needs to come together with the president to restore confidence in the economy and create a climate conducive to job growth.
Unfortunately, the economic stimulus measure (H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 244-188 on January 28, did not meet that goal. Because this legislative package would not allow for the kind of immediate economic growth and job creation for which these desperate times call, I did not support it. The Senate also passed its version. A final vote in each chamber on the package is expected later this week.
I don’t question the urgency of congressional action to stimulate the economy, but I do question the priorities in this package and its price tag. Instead of a narrow focus to stimulate the economy through targeted programs to put more money in the hands of taxpayers and create jobs, the $816 billion House-passed legislation includes over $136 billion to create 32 new government programs and bolster others, many of which have nothing to do with economic recovery.
When Congress spends too much, too quickly, the details are left undone and oversight is even more difficult. Taxpayers deserve to know how many jobs will be created this year, in the next year and beyond, and how these jobs will be sustained. Will higher taxes or even more federal spending be needed? Those questions remain unanswered. Click here for my full statement on the House stimulus bill.
That's right, Frank Wolf would rather stick to his supply-side, trickle-down, anti-tax ideology than vote to help the people of his district, of Virginia and of America. Apparently, he's more concerned with the human rights of people in China than of the human beings who are struggling to get by in the ruin of George W. Bush's America. For those of you who believe Frank Wolf's a "moderate," I offer this vote as Exhibit A as to why he's anything but. In 2010, Frank Wolf must go.
