Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The Straight Story

(48,121 posts)
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 04:01 PM Dec 2012

Conservative Group Tells Republicans To Hold Hurricane Sandy Relief Package Hostage

Conservative Group Tells Republicans To Hold Hurricane Sandy Relief Package Hostage


Club For Growth, a conservative advocacy group, is urging Republicans to vote against the $60 billion Hurricane Sandy relief package that the Senate plans to take up this week, according to a statement on its web site.
The group, which scores congressional votes to document lawmakers’ conservative stances, issued a “Key Vote Alert” this afternoon telling Republicans it would hold a vote in favor of the relief package against them. The statement also calls on lawmakers to offset any money spent for disaster relief with spending cuts:

The Club for Growth urges all Senators to vote “NO” on the Hurricane Sandy relief bill (HR 1) scheduled for consideration in the upper chamber this week. The vote on final passage, and perhaps procedural votes, will be included in the Club’s 2012 Congressional Scorecard.

When a natural disaster occurs, there is a textbook response by Congress – they cobble together an overpriced bill that isn’t paid for, there’s no accountability or oversight, and it’s filled with pork. This proposal is no different.

If lawmakers are interested in improving the bill, they should release the funds in installments to make sure the resources are spent wisely. They should also strip out all immaterial line items, and fully offset all expenditures with spending cuts elsewhere. Serious reform would also include a way for the states to take over the responsibility for future disaster relief funding so that accountability is more localized.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/12/17/1347781/club-for-growth-sandy-relief/

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Conservative Group Tells Republicans To Hold Hurricane Sandy Relief Package Hostage (Original Post) The Straight Story Dec 2012 OP
Great Idea! Rub salt in the wounds of Sandy victims. n/t Ganja Ninja Dec 2012 #1
I think Republicans have crossed the line and have become evil. liberalmuse Dec 2012 #2
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Conservative Group Tells ...