Speaker Boehner Announces Appointments to Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

The Speaker's Official Website ^ | 08/10/2011

[SeekAndFind]

Speaker Boehner Announces Appointments to Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

Washington (Aug 10)

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today announced his intent to appoint the following three lawmakers to represent House Republicans on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:

House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)

House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI)

House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI)

Speaker Boehner has tapped Chairman Hensarling to serve as a co-chair of the joint select committee. Boehner issued the following statement regarding the appointments of Chairmen Hensarling, Camp, and Upton:

“Our debt and deficits are a threat to our economy, and America cannot achieve long-term job growth until we take action to address this crisis. In the weeks ahead, a serious, bipartisan committee of lawmakers will begin the hard but necessary work of making the tough choices needed to rein in mandatory and entitlement spending, which are the drivers of our debt. The lawmakers I have appointed to serve on this joint committee are proven leaders who have earned the trust and confidence of their colleagues and constituents. They understand the gravity of our debt crisis and I appreciate their willingness to serve on this panel.

“The two parties have fundamental differences about government and its proper role in our society. Where we've been able to agree, we have acted, and in a way consistent with the American people’s desire for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government. Still, the differences remain, and so does the urgent work of returning our economy to creating jobs and lifting the crushing burden of debt that threatens our children’s future. This joint committee presents an opportunity for both parties to bring to the table their best ideas, debate them on the merits, and ultimately come together to do what’s best for our country. With all that’s at stake, I expect that the joint select committee will conduct its work in the open and transparent manner the American people deserve.”

[old curmudgeon]

Why did they vote for the budget bill and for this super congress thing?

“Because it was the only thing on the table”.

They will vote the same way and for the same reason when this committe presents its proposal.

[Psalm 144]

Excellent summary, Madame Dufarge. I was not very aware of this individual who has contributed so much to making the GOP what it is today.

I gather you too are waiting for the main event. I will hold your skein while you knit, if you wish.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

So, this isn’t his voting record?

BAILOUTS

•Voted YES for TARP
•Voted YES on the auto bailout
•Voted YES on Cash for Clunkers

SPENDING

•Voted NO on 7 of the last 9 RSC Budgets
•Voted YES on the Farm Bill
•Voted YES on the 2005 Highway Bill
•Voted NO to cap farm subsidies
•Voted YES four times to extend unemployment benefits
•Voted NO to end milk subsidies
•Voted NO to cut sugar subsidies
•Voted NO to cut NEA spending
•Voted NO to cut AMTRAK spending
•Voted YES to increase funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
•Got a 53% on the Club’s 2009 RePORK Card
•Got a 42% on the Club’s 2007 RePORK Card

TAXES

•Voted YES on Patriot Tax – a surtax on high income earners

REGULATIONS

•Voted YES for Sarbanes-Oxley
•Voted YES to increase the minimum wage
•Voted YES on energy bill with new CAFÉ standards and tax hikes
•Voted NO to waive Davis-Bacon
•Voted YES to criminalize “price-gouging”

POLITICAL FREE SPEECH

•Voted YES to force 527s to disclose their donors
•Voted YES on McCain-Feingold
•Voted YES on the 527 Reform Act

ENTITLEMENTS

•Voted YES for SCHIP

GOVERNMENT REFORM

•Voted NO to privatize postal service for 20 communities
•Voted 7 of 9 times to increase congressional pay

SCHOOL CHOICE

•Voted YES on No Child Left Behind

I’m not the biggest Erick Erickson fan, but he’s not anonymous and this is information that is easily verified.

[MissesBush]

What is with Boehner’s hard-on for Upton? It should have been Paul Ryan.

[RowdyFFC]

I stand corrected and forgot we were talking senate. Slaps my own hand...

[Churchillspirit]

I agree....why put your best and brightest in the firing line.

[Madame Dufarge]

Thank you, but the credit goes to Red State, they did a nice job laying out the indictment.

I will hold your skein while you knit, if you wish.

Why, that's very kind of you. The list of volunteers seems to be growing. ;-)

[arrogantsob]

What makes you believe the committee is unconstitutional?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: It should have been Paul Ryan.

Paul Ryan ASKED NOT TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE.

[Digger]

But the GOP will be put in the position of choosing between massive military cuts (which automatically take effect if there is no bargain) and tax increases. At least that is the way I understand it. Liberals win either way.

Why sure. What would you expect from this corrupt "Two-Party Cartel". It's been the same for a couple of decades. Too bad Boner couldn't be primaried next yr. That must be why he & pelosi can do so much damage to the nation & get away with it.

[MNJohnnie]

Well that certain explains why you keep electing Ms Lindsay Grahams to the US Senate

[CDB]

When Camp and Upton “get primaried,” Boner will have to re-appoint two more “red shirts” (Star Trek cannon-fodder guys).

[Psalm 144]

“I don’t know when people will come to the realization that Crybaby is just as much the enemy as any Democrat. All the effort that conservatives can muster should be directed towards defeating him. If I had the choice, I would vote for a Democrat over Crybaby. We can afford one less Republican in the House. We cannot afford the “leadership” of the weak, effete, republican elite Crybaby.”

I completely agree. I am convinced that a portion of the most strident defenders of this status quo have some vested interest in it.

[LibLieSlayer]

When have these republican leaders in the House ever won any fight with the left? never... that is when. They are losers just like all of the republicans in leadership positions are. They were rolled on the agreement to ever create this committee (Read Thomas Sowell from yesterday)... and I can predict with certainty that this will end just as badly as the last Continuing Resolution turned out and it will be worse than the agreement that created this marxist central command super committee.

There is no reason to trust these leaders... there is no reason to have any faith in them at all... they have failed at every face to face confrontation with obama and the left that they have been confronted with.

LLS

[I cannot think of a name]

Everything about this “committee” has bad/failure written all over it. Look at who the Senate democraps have picked as their representatives.

Anybody that might have a shot at the VP slot in 2012 or even the presidency in subsequent years I would advise to stay the h-ll away from it.

I expect that when the committee totally deadlocks into failure, some other kind of 'deal' will be created to replace the committee.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

Not necessarily. If there are tax rate increases in the bill they can vote no and allow the automatic cuts to take place. Frankly I am sure there is a ton of waste in the defense budget that can be cut, if it actually comes to that.

[LibLieSlayer]

WAY PAST TIME!

LLS

[Logic n' Reason]

Tell me, LLS....is that rino up for re-election next year? If so, we can make him the poster boy for term limits....or HRIC (head rino in charge)

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Well that certain explains why you keep electing Ms Lindsay Grahams to the US Senate

What hasn't been explained is why you are defending leftists like Upton. As for your little Lindsay non-sequitur, I've never voted for her.

[Madame Dufarge]

Some cringeworthy things there:

Jan-93 Increase the earned income tax credit.
Oct-93 Regulating 15 more contaminants under Clean Water Act.
Sep-98 Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases.
May-99 Voted NO on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox.
Sep-99 Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads.
Jul-01 Voted YES on banning soft money donations to national political parties. Wait, what?
May-02 Make EPA into a Cabinet department.
Jun-03 Voted YES on banning Internet gambling by credit card.
Dec-05 Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent.
Jan-06 Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union.
Apr-06 Voted YES on restricting independent grassroots political committees.
Apr-07 Voted YES on allowing stockholder voting on executive compensation.
Jul-09 Voted NO on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation. Wait, what?
Jun-08 Voted NO on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income.
Dec-08 Voted YES on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler.
Mar-09 Voted YES on instituting National Service as a new social invention.
Apr-09 Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug.
Jul-09 Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending.
Jul-09 Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program.