News release from Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-3rd, R):
Stutzman to President Obama: “Campaigning is Not Governing”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman released the following statement in response to President Obama’s campaign-style visit to Newport News, VA, today where he will hold another rally for higher taxes instead of working with Congress to replace his own sequester with sensible reductions in government waste:
“Campaigning is not governing. Instead of doing the job of the nation’s chief executive and working with Congress to replace the sequester with common sense cuts, President Obama is holding a campaign-style rally to blame Republicans for a crisis he manufactured.
“The sequester was President Obama’s idea. House Republicans have voted twice to replace it with sensible legislation that eliminates waste—for example, saving taxpayers nearly $80 billion by bringing federal employee benefits in line with private sector models. However, instead of suggesting where he would find savings in the budget, the president continues to campaign on the politics of fear. The path of least resistance is always downhill.
“Hoosiers deserve better than false choices between lessened security and higher taxes. Washington needs to end the gimmicks and get serious about tackling our $16 trillion debt. The President should end this divisive campaigning and work with his colleagues in the Senate to replace the sequester he proposed.”
Background:
- This week, Congressman Stutzman is highlighting various issues pertaining to President Obama’s mishandling of the sequester he proposed and highlighting the House Republican solution to cut spending and keep our national defense strong.
- According to Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward, the idea for the sequester was born in the White House and first suggested by President Obama’s Chief of Staff (then Director of Office of Management and Budget) Jack Lew.
- The sequester was included in the final version of the Budget Control Act of 2011 which passed despite Congressman Stutzman’s opposition by a 269-161 vote and was signed by the President.
- House Republicans passed H.R. 5652, and Congressman Stutzman voted for, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act, on May 10, 2012. The bill would replace the President’s sequester with common-sense reforms that reduce spending.
- House Republicans passed H.R. 6684, and Congressman Stutzman voted for, the Spending Reduction Act, on December 20, 2012. The legislation adopts common-sense reforms that eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending programs.
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