Rehberg Splits With Party to Stand With Montana Seniors Against Ryan Budget

Statement

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement today after voting against the so-called "Ryan Budget' citing concerns with changes made to Medicare. Rehberg, who was one of only four Republicans to vote against similar legislation last year, is also the only member of Montana's delegation who opposed $500 billion in Medicare spending reductions in President Obama's health care law.

"We have to reduce government spending and that's why I introduced legislation that would cut $1.4 trillion from the deficit over ten years. We need to live within our means, and focus on spending reductions not tax hikes. From ending bailouts to reducing taxes, there are some good things in Congressman Ryan's plan, but I simply refuse to gamble with something as important as Medicare. After President Obama and his Congressional allies cut half a trillion dollars from Medicare to pay for their new health care programs, I promised Montana's seniors that any plan to change Medicare would need their support before it got mine. It was wrong when Democrats pushed through harmful changes to Medicare in 2009, and it's wrong for Republicans to try and do the same thing in 2012. This isn't about doing what's best for the Republican Party or the Democrat Party, this is about doing what's best for Montana. And I'll continue to put Montana first."

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