Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) says the house health care reform bill was drafted without sufficient transparency
“The process is closed,” said Westmoreland. (0:12)
“This is the least bipartisan administration in modern times,” and “it’s bad for the country,” says former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. “They are unwilling to have a conversation, they are unwilling to openly look at amending their [health care] bill,” he adds. (0:46)
By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service
>House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) called congressional voting cards “the most dangerous credit card in the history of the world”, because then enable Congress and the president to engage in reckless spending. This was not Boehner’s first criticism of Obama, but his statement came on the 101st day of the Obama Administration, a time which Boehner has criticized as being pock marked with excessive borrowing, reckless spending and a massive growth in government.
Boehner said that Democrat’s “record on spending and debt is staggering, but our economy is growing weaker, and it’s not going to get any better by growing the size of the government here in Washington.”
Boehner believes that the Democratically controlled Congress has enabled and contributed to the recklessness, and thinks it is up to the Republicans to put a stop to it. Republicans must be “the party of better solutions” if they are going to stand up to the Democrats in Congress, Boehner said, adding that he hopes Democrats will be committed to a bipartisan policy approach..
Citing the elections of 2008, Boehner said “out brand has been tarnished”, but to help the party serve the American people, Republicans must stand up to the Obama Administration when disagreements arise, and to offer alternative solutions.
Leader Boehner applauded President Obama on his strategy towards Afghanistan and Iraq, but showed concern at Obama’s greater national security policy.
“The big question continues to be: what is the Administration’s overarching plan to fight terrorism? Judging from their recent decision to release 30 terrorist detainees with no plan on where to put them, it continues to beg the question,” referring to Obama’s closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center without knowing where the detainees will be sent.
During a press conference Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) commented that the desire for an economic recovery package is supported by both parties (0:41)
Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) offers his advice to Obama for success in the next administration.
Judd Gregg (R-NH), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee calls the package a “feel-good event.” Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) claims it is more than that, while expressing reservations.
The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing this morning to once again discuss the economic stimulus package that will be debated and voted on the Senate floor this afternoon. Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and ranking member Judd Gregg (R-NH) heard testimony from Dr. Alan Blinder of Princeton University, Dr. Mark Zandi of Moody’s Economy.com, and Dr. Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute.
Dr. Blinder identifies himself with former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan’s “school” in proposing transfer payments, as food stamps and unemployment insurance, and aid to states, tools left out of the House version.
Dr. Zandi pointed out that several states including California, Nevada, and Florida are already in recession, though the nation as a whole is maintaining slow growth. He recommends replacing the House’s business incentives with a version of the programs endorsed by Dr. Blinder.
Dr. Mitchell cited Monty Python, announcing “And Now for Something Completely Different!” Denouncing Keynesian economics flat out as “bad theory.” Reminding the committee that there are no “magic wands,” denies the efficacy of fiscal policy to stimulate the economy. Instead, he recommends that the Congress focus on long term practices to provide an environment conducive to business investment.
