By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
For weeks, conservatives have been hopeful that a Republican controlled Congress could wrest concessions from the Obama administration such as: the de-funding of Obamacare, entitlement reform, a path to a balanced budget, a cut in the deficit, or at the very least a one year delay in the individual mandate that every American must purchase credible coverage. On Wednesday night, Republicans conceded, the debt limit was raised, and the sixteen day government shut down came to an end and Obama gave up nothing of substance. Republicans across Alabama responded to the news with disappointment.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said,
“The real victims of President Obama’s unwillingness to compromise are the American people who will continue to suffer from the effects of ObamaCare. This ill conceived healthcare takeover is robbing Americans of affordable, quality care and will only continue to stifle economic growth.”
Congressman Mike Rogers (R) from Saks said,
“Tonight, the House and Senate both passed legislation to temporarily extend our debt limit and reopen the Federal government. This bill passed without my support, in part, because it is a just short-term fix, does not move our country in the right direction and does not address the very concerning shortfalls facing our National Security.”
Congressman Mo Brooks said,
“The federal government is in this financial mess because of years of out-of-control spending and deficits, followed by higher and higher debt burdens. Yet, in exchange for raising America’s debt by more than a half trillion dollars, the Senate bill fails to give American taxpayers one cent in spending cuts, or any other substantive measures that address the cause of America’s financial difficulties.”
Dr. Chad Mathis (R) from Indian Springs who is running for Congress in the Sixth District said,
“Every generation in the last 237 years has sacrificed to ensure prosperity for the next generation. Our fine servicemen and women continue that tradition today. But our Congress is incapable of sacrifice. They are incapable of stopping out of control spending and bloated government. Our generation will be the first generation to leave a crippling legacy for our children and our grandchildren. Elect me to Congress and I will wake up every single day fighting to stop the mess Congress has created. This fight is not about holding power. It’s about the opportunity to succeed, and Washington is taking that away from our children and grandchildren. I will not kick the can down the road. Dean Clancy of Freedomworks said this about Congress this morning, ‘Now it’s time to kick your can.’ I agree.”
State Senator Scott Beaon (R) from Gardendale said on Facebook,
“So the debt ceiling is raised AGAIN with NO spending cuts, and Obamacare continues on. Balance the budget for goodness sake! – The States do it. – (I know, I know. This is the last time. Next time the Washington GOP means it. Yeah right.).”
Representative Brooks said,
“The Senate bill does the very thing that has gotten America into this financial mess. It kicks the can down the road a few months, thereby forcing America to revisit the government shutdown and debt ceiling issues with one major difference: America will have another half trillion dollars in additional debt burden that undermines our ability to fix the problem, thus creating an even greater threat to our solvency and survival as a world power and nation. I am more than willing to vote to properly fund the federal government and raise the debt ceiling so long as Congress simultaneously passes a balanced budget constitutional amendment or spending cuts that both address the underlying deficit problem and give our children and grandchildren, and America, a brighter future. Deficits and debt are a potentially fatal disease eating away at America. The Senate bill prescribes pain-killing drugs that mask the symptoms yet do nothing to cure the otherwise fatal disease.”
Chairman Armistead said,
“With nothing being done to delay or defund ObamaCare, this job killing piece of legislation will continue to add to our growing national debt. The American people understand that this measure is not a solution. It is just more of President Obama’s politics as usual. Another example of kicking the can down the road and refusing to address the mounting burden we are placing on our kids and grand kids. I applaud the Republicans who continued to fight to the very end and I am proud of the Republican delegation from Alabama for standing up against Obama’s economy-destroying tactics. The Republican Party will not surrender on the battle to end ObamaCare and get our fiscal house in order. We will continue to elect conservative Republicans from Alabama who committed to rolling back this freedom robbing, job killing, and cost increasing piece of legislation.”
