Ellison Highlights Republican Hypocrisy on Deficit Reduction and Job Creation

Press Release

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) today offered seven amendments to highlight how House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's fiscal year 2012 budget fails to live up to Republican rhetoric on job creation and deficit reduction.

The Republican budget resolution for 2012 -- H. Con. Res. 34 -- makes no mention of job creation and would actually increase the deficit by extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans beyond 2012.

"Republicans talk a big game about deficit reduction, but Chairman Ryan's budget seems to show that Republicans are actually confused about what deficit reduction means," Ellison said. "My amendments would keep Congress working over the summer until the House votes on new jobs legislation and prevent the Bush tax cuts for the rich from further growing the deficit."

The House Committee on Rules will consider Congressman Ellison's amendments -- as well as amendments submitted by other members -- at its hearing this afternoon.

Ellison's amendments include:

Makes it a procedural violation of House Rules to adjourn for more than three days in July if the House has not considered legislation to create jobs and rebuild the American middle class.

Would not allow Chairman Ryan to have special treatment in being able to single handedly increase mandatory spending and contribute to the deficit, which would be counter to the House Rules package he supported earlier this Congress.

Would not allow any budget adjustments for extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans beyond 2012 if this contributed to the deficit.

Sets the record straight that Social Security has not contributed to the deficit.

Source