GOP to Dems: Slow down on stimulus bill
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/12/30/gop.stimulus/art.mcconnell.gi.jpg caption="Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wants Congress to holds hearings on the stimulus package."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Top congressional Republicans cautioned Democrats not to rush through a massive stimulus package that lawmakers hope to send to President-elect Barack Obama shortly after he takes office next month.
A House Democratic leadership aide told CNN on Tuesday that Congress will likely take up a stimulus bill the second week of January.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said the Congress must prove to taxpayers that the stimulus bill, which some economists suggest could amount to $1 trillion, "is not wasting their money."
"We should have a simple test: will the yet-unwritten, reportedly trillion-dollar spending bill really create jobs and grow the economy - or will it simply create more government spending, more bureaucrats and deeper deficits?" McConnell said in a statement Monday.
McConnell's $1 trillion figure for the stimulus bill may be an overestimate, however.
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Rep shout the hell up! You guy stood by and let Pre Bush do whatever he wished and how you want to control spending....READ MY LIPS , GO TOO HELL!
The GOP has not a leg to stand on when you consider that their president, Bush....... left our Nation facing the BIGGEST financial disaster since the Great Depression.
Two words for the GOP: shut up!
The fact that Burris accepted and appeared with Blago to do so, as well as being the former attorney general, says a lot about Illinois politics.
Oh please McConnell like you have a better idea. Republicans create problems, Democrats solve problems!
We knew that the GOp was going to do everything they can to make Obama fail. They don't care about the American people. Slow down the bill they say. We say slow down the reccesion. They will loose and continue to destroy the party.
Oh Sure, You would drag this on until the whole country falls into the sea. Go home you dinasaur. hmmp
oh, and the $750 billion bailout of banks (who aren't lending, but still have plenty of dollars for "corporate sponsorship", insurance companies, wall street firms and automakers (who also aren't lending) wasn't already a waste? Had to rush those dollars right through....
how come corporate america gets a stimulus package rushed through but for the american public, 'no, we have to wait and evaluate". All politicians in DC should either be fired or step down – haven't proven that you can do much to solve problems
Mitch and the boys down south probably have to check with Toyota and Honda before they move forward with the plan to help create jobs and heal the economy in America. Put the saki down, Mitch, and step away from the sushi bar!
Excuse me, Mr. McConnell!!! I think the Republicans, at minimum, need to prove their competence after these last eight looooooooooong years of multiple disasters before they demand anything of others. You really are arrogant, ignorant tone deaf and just don't get it! It's no wonder you had to fight so hard to keep your seat in the Senate.
The GOP needs to shut the *ell up and allow Obama to clean up the mess they made.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually agree with them. The Dems need to relax and stop blowing my unborn childrens, childrens money. It's going to be painful but the economy will right itself.
Yeah, what's the rush? Let's let our economy spiral down further before trying to do anything about it!
Shame of it is, the right-wing obstructionists still have the power to pursue their scorched earth policy for at least two more years.
Let's try this. If the Republicans threaten to filibuster the recovery package, are there enough Democrats with spines to block all military funding?
The former is every bit as essential to our national interests as the latter.
Republicans have a nerve complaining about Democrats "wasting money" what a joke that one is. Re: Iraq War. They literally flew a 747 filled with cash money over there during the "chaos" and just threw it around everywhere. Give me a break. Ironic that McConnell should call for a "brake" ha!.
I'm sure they would like to slow it down. Anything to cause more harm to the American people. There's tons of proof out there, so I suggest they gather it now and not wait and try to hold this thing up. GOP: QUIT HARMING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
It is time for people like MConnell to take a back seat. He and his fellow Republicans have wrecked this great country. Mr. Connell you and your cronies had a full 6 years to do something but you an John Bohner were to busy sucking up to Bush. By the way your wife has had a good ride on the Federal Payroll.
Mitch McConnell voted yes on the use of force against Iraq in 2002, a War that, in cost, is approaching 1 Trillion dollars. When has Mr. Mconnell discussed with the public the costs of the Iraq War and whether it was "not wasting money"?
In the last 8 years, the national debt has grown by about 4 Trillion dollars. Mr. McConnell has a lot to answer for, and doesn't have much credibility, when speaking about how to contain government spending.
That said, of course their should be hearings. But I hope they are not just intended to be a soapbox where we get to listen to repetitive speeches about the personal ideology of Mr. McConnell and fellow members of the minority.
Why are Republicans so reluctant to spend money in America? They willingly baled out the banks, they happily send money over to Iraq and Afghanistan which has contributed to the budget deficit,yet when it comes to spending money in the USA to create jobs, suddenly P.E Obama must 'slow down' and not increase the deficit. For 8 years the Republicans have NOT slowed down spending – now that the Democrats are in power, now its time to SLOW DOWN – what a joke!! Instead of trying to put obstacles in Obama's way its time for them to put their petty politics aside and allow Obama and his team to do what is needed to bring us out of this recession!
Why didn't McConnell ask that same question when he rushed through the bailout ... er handout to the banks ... oh yes, he gets lobbyist money!!!
We need to strip Congress of all their benefits now, so they have to live like regular Americans ... the people need money or we are going into a depression ... please read this tonight in your mansion when you are sipping a fine wine!! Clueless in Congress.
Mari
i am in 1000 % agreement with your statement here on this blog
You know what? It could be either a useful economic stimulus or the creation of a lot of short-circuits in the economy designed principally to take advantage of the fund. It all depends on how the package is designed, what its focuses are, how oversight works, etc. In any case, the GOP is right to ask the question . . . but it could be asking it in a more productive way.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell BARELY re-elected is now calling SOUR grapes!!! Por Republicans can't help but be obstructionist after all. The nations economy is in deep trouble. Help or get out of the way!!!
Molly:
what are you talking about? The Bush administration has blown more of your children's children's money over the past 8 years than any stimulus package would. Why don't you try researching FACTS instead of posting on cnn about what you have heard on rush?
Oh NOW...they worry about wasting money!!!!
Give me a break. Over the past 8 yrs of GOP rule–congress not only wasted 20 fortunes–but completely diregarded their jobs of oversight and regulation–right along with George.
Whatever it takes–is now the rule!!!
I do hope these folks understand the mandate from a popular and electoral majority that Obama has coming into office. One message to the GOP: join up–get off the road–or get out of the way because change is really coming and the paradigm change and priority change just might be too much for them!!!
This is Hilarious! Have they considered how fiscally irresponsible the Irag war hs been? Spending has been out of control for the last 8 yrs, now they want to slow down. What a joke. Have they come up with a song for it yet?
AS A CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT I HAVE TO AGREE, HOWEVER, I WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE IF THE GOP, IS MORE INTENT ON LOG JAM POLITICS OR GETTING THE COUNTRY BACK ON A GROWTH TRAJECTORY. NO MORE TIME FOR POLITICS AS USUAL.