Goodlatte, Griffith, Hurt vote against fiscal cliff deal
The U.S. House of Representatives tonight passed a Senate-backed deal to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff,” but all three congressmen who represent parts of Southwest Virginia voted against the compromise.
Republicans Bob Goodlatte of Roanoke County, Morgan Griffith of Salem and Robert Hurt of Chatham issued statements explaining their votes shortly after the measure cleared the House by a vote of 257 to 167, with 85 Republicans voting to pass it. Their statements are below:
From Goodlatte:
“I voted against this legislation because it fails to address the biggest threat to the American economy and our nation as a whole – spending and debt. Early this morning, the Senate finally took action. The plan they passed continues out of control spending and does not go far enough to extend tax relief to hardworking families and many small businesses. The tax increases contained in this bill will take effect immediately, but the future spending cuts that have been promised may never happen. We do not have a tax revenue problem in America. Out of control spending is the problem – a national debt in excess of $16 trillion is a clear enough example, and this ‘deal’ does not address it on the spending side.
“The lack of cooperation by the Senate and White House on these issues has been particularly disappointing. While the House voted to cut spending and prevent tax hikes, the Senate repeatedly failed to act. As we ring in yet another year, it frustrates me and the people of the Sixth District that this issue has once again been punted further down the road. We must proceed with serious spending cuts that will get a handle on our debt crisis, balance the budget, and foster economic growth.”
From Griffith:
“Tonight I voted NO on the Senate amendments to the House bill, H.R. 8. As many people know, I review every legislative proposal independently and work to make the best decision I can on behalf of the people of the United States and the residents of Virginia’s Ninth District. After reviewing all major aspects of the bill, I felt I could not support the Senate amendments.
“Reasonable people can disagree whether or not to support this Senate compromise. In fairness to those that voted yes, there are some good things in the bill. However, increasing spending for programs and paying for a two month delay of sequestration in part with new “revenues” were items that I could not support. In reviewing bills, I look at the short-term as well as the long-term consequences because they will affect our children and grandchildren for years to come. Passing a bill that raises revenues with only minor cuts is not a balanced approach, and is an approach that adds to the debt our children and grandchildren will be responsible for paying back.”
From Hurt:
“We have known about the looming threat of the fiscal cliff for nearly two years. Yet, during that time, the United States Senate failed to take seriously this crisis, driving us to the edge of the cliff with its 11th hour vote on Tuesday morning. We in the House of Representatives took action this summer to replace the across the board cuts with responsible spending reforms and extend the current tax rates for everyone on behalf of the people of Virginia’s 5th District and all Americans. After months of failing to act on our proposals to keep taxes low and cut spending, I am glad that the Senate has finally delivered its own proposal to avert this fiscal crisis by preventing many of the job-destroying tax hikes that were set to take effect.
“The Senate proposal provides permanent tax relief to most Americans, and I believe that is a step in the right direction toward creating certainty for our families and small business owners. The proposal also enacts permanent estate tax relief for our small businesses and family farmers who need certainty in our tax code. But at a time when we as a nation own a 16 trillion dollar debt and borrow 45 cents on every dollar we spend, this legislation does absolutely nothing to address the federal government’s spending problem – in fact it only adds to it.
“At a time when members of both parties agree that we need to cut spending, the Senate proposal makes virtually no spending cuts. At a time when we all know that our Social Security and Medicare programs are primary drivers of our spending, this legislation makes no necessary reforms. And, inexplicably, at a time when reining in reckless spending should be our primary concern, this legislation proposes billions of dollars in new spending.
“In August of 2011, President Obama negotiated and signed into law the Budget Control Act that would impose 1.2 trillion dollars in spending cuts to take effect in January of 2013 if no agreement could be made on serious deficit reduction. Now, more than a year later, no agreement has been made on deficit reduction. And now the President says we need to kick spending cuts down the road again. This “tax now, cut later” status quo in Washington simply cannot continue. We can and we must do better.
“In good conscience, and for the future of this great nation and of our children and grandchildren who will inherit this debt, I am unable to support continuing along this course. I remain deeply concerned for the future of our country as we continue on this path and I maintain my commitment to working on behalf of Virginia’s 5th District, with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to make the difficult choices necessary to restore our nation to fiscal sustainability.”
January 1, 2013 - 11:42 PM
Are these congressmen really that clueless about basic economic principles, or are they just counting on us to be? “… biggest threat to the American economy and our nation as a whole – spending and debt.” ” …the debt our children and grandchildren will be responsible for paying back.” ” … inexplicably, at a time when reining in reckless spending should be our primary concern …” What’s inexplicable is these guys acting as if the national debt is like a home mortgage. Do you remember our parents coming up with a balloon payment to pay off WWII? Of course not, they didn’t! Getting money moving around the economy generates tax revenue, and it took care of itself. If you’re running short of cash, you don’t quit your job to save your gas money.
Kudos to our representatives. Makes me proud to know I voted for Mr. Hurt. We are not going to tax ourselves into prosperity. The Congress won’t get serious about the deficit which can easily be understood considering that they added more pork to the bill for Sandy than for the victims it was supposed to help. I hope (either Democrat or Republican) conservatives will get serious about the spending problem. Note to all; You can’t keep spending money you don’t have.
Bottom line is, that each of you voted to let all Americans taxes go up and to let the people that depend on the unemployment checks to be cut off, leaving these people that are struggling now to be in even worse shape. Your “no” vote would have hurt small business allowing their tax rate to go up and forcing small business to lay-off employees.I am very ashamed of how you voted, and thank the Lord that there were some Republicans that saw the big picture with a big heart.
The Speaker could have brought to the floor of the House the Grand Bargain he and the President had negotiated which included spending cuts. Instead, the Republicans in the House walked away from the deal and came up with PLAN B which was an utter debacle. Now they have the audacity to complain. When they walked away from the Grand Bargain the Speaker said, “It’s up to the Senate.” They now have no right to cry foul, because it is their own stupidity which put them in the position they faced last night. Griffith, Goodlatte and Robert Hurt are part of the problem, not the solution.
Unfortunately they all voted contrary to the interest of their constituents. They we sent to Washington to work for the people. It will be wonderful when they start doing the people’s work.
This deal is absurdly tiled in the GOP’s favor given the results of the last election, but still these right wingers are so far off the deep end that they won’t compromise an iota.
Rebecca@10:12
I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happoen. Goodlatte hasn’t done it in 20 years. And Griffith and Hurt are just getting started on compliling a similar record.
The comments here from the progressive side are missing the obvious point. I personally agree with those who voted against the so-called fiscal cliff all-tax-no-cuts deal (I believe a government that spends less is more constitutional, and does a better job of preserving liberty and increasing prosperity). But most of these particular “no” votes in Virginia were not needed to ensure the Senate measure was passed, and this theater of “statements” is actually bipartisanship at its very best! Had their votes been truly needed by John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Bob Goodlatte, as part of the Boehner circle of trust, would have very likely voted “Aye”, much as they have done in the past with debt ceiling increases and other legislation. I’m not trying to offend anyone here, left or right, Democrat or Republican, but the long track record of the debt and spending Kabuki dance in DC speaks for itself.
Karen, I had this exact conversation with someone last night, who said to me…”They didn’t need Griffith’s vote, so they let him vote “No”. Same with the other “No” GOP votes”. I agree with you.
In my time on this earth, 54 years of it to be exact, I have told some lies. It is not something I can brag about or be proud of and I certainly try to be honest but I have nonetheless lied. I cannot do it easily and it troubles me greatly. I always wonder when a yahoo that I KNOW is lying says something like “In good conscience, and for the future of this great nation and of our children and grandchildren who will inherit…“, if they even actually have a conscience. It seldom appears so. I am not sure who they think will believe this pious, earnest, lie…but then, I see those who do post here and other places daily. Pardon me if I believe history has proven the inmates will not run the asylum any better.
The deceit and sophistry out of right wing America, led by the likes of these three is truly frightening and will, in the end do real damage to this great nation and our children and grandchildren. I am at least happy this stuff will be in the archives.