WASHINGTON — The National Republican Congressional Committee will begin running robo-calls targeting 1st District Democrat Rep. Tim Walz today because of his vote against the Republican’s Cut, Cap and Balance legislation.
That bill was one of a handful of proposed solutions to the debt ceiling debate that dominated Washington this summer. It would have cut federal spending, capped it at 18 percent of the Gross Domestic Product and required a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. It passed the House with the support of only five Democrats, and then stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
The NRCC call blaims Democrats — and, in this case, specifically Walz — for the United State’s credit rating downgrade and the recent stock market loses.
“Tim Walz and his fellow Democrats’ addiction to big government spending has led to a downgrade of America’s credit rating and a dramatic loss in the global markets that could force you to pay more for everyday expenses,” the call says. “While Tim Walz keeps standing in the way of real fiscal reform, middle-class families in Minnesota could now see a loss in retirement savings while mortgage rates, car payments and student loans could become even more expensive.”
Walz first won his seat in 2006, a Democratic wave year. He was easily re-elected in 2008 and won by 5 percent in 2010.
Update, 2:45p.m.: The Walz campaign has released a statement on the NRCC ad: “Like many southern Minnesotans, Congressman Walz is frustrated with the partisan games and scare tactics. Washington Republicans are distorting the truth about Congressman Walz’s record. Southern Minnesotans know Congressman Walz remains focused on creating jobs, reducing our deficit and getting our economy back on track.”
Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com
Rep. Waltz. should be applauded for rejecting the Cut, Cap and Balance legislation, which was horrible.
Just as horrible as this GOP robo-smear campaign.
The credit rating downgrade is the work of tea party extremists. Their reigning queen said before the vote on the extension that there would be no difference if it failed. Gee are these people smart.
The Republican/Tea Party’s insistence on extended debate of deficit items (monthly/annual budget planning items) when there should have been a clean, quickly passed raise-the-debt-ceiling (make payments on previously contracted debt and any interest due) bill caused national and international confusion about the ‘good faith and credit worthiness’ of the US of A.
As a result the Republican/Tea Party’s ‘cut, cap and balance’ discussion is directly responsible for the subsequent down grade in the US of A’s credit rating. Any attempt they make to blame someone else is dishonest.
Thank you, Tim Walz for voting against it.