Why I voted against the debt deal

The Washington Post ^ | August 2, 2011 | Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The good news out of the debt debate is that Washington is now debating how much we can cut instead of how much we can spend. The American people deserve all the credit for forcing that change. Unfortunately, it’s still all talk in Washington. This deal is a victory for politicians but a defeat for families.

In spite of what politicians on both sides are saying, this agreement does not cut any spending over 10 years. In fact, it increases discretionary spending by $830 billion.

I voted against this agreement because it does nothing to address the real drivers of our debt. It eliminates no program, consolidates no duplicative programs, cuts no tax earmarks and reforms no entitlement program. The specter of default or a credit downgrade will still hang over our economy after this deal becomes law.

[RinaseaofDs]

If you voted against it, you don’t have anything to explain.

I want to hear from the idiots that actually voted in favor of it.

[EGPWS]

The good news out of the debt debate is that Washington is now debating how much we can cut instead of how much we can spend.

Tom must have missed the speech from the White House today.

[ctdonath2]

this agreement does not cut any spending over 10 years. In fact, it increases discretionary spending by $830 billion.

Over 10 years, it increases total spending by $26000billion.

[clintonh8r]

Is there a “yays and nays” posted anywhere?

Thanks.

[Las Vegas Ron]

The list:

http://www.gop.gov/votes/112/1/690

[taxcutisapayraise]

In other words: The Tea Parties managed to turn the fed/gov spending ship of state around and the RINO/Liberal cabal promptly shifted the engines in reverse.

[rockrr]

The only thing I want to hear from those idiots is “I’m sorry” and “I quit”...

[Sea Parrot]

Old Doc is a waffling dunder head, he is only behind McCain a couple of steps.

[RckyRaCoCo]

Politicians.....pffft.

[Psalm 144]

“I want to hear from the idiots that actually voted in favor of it.”

Bestdealwecouldget! Bestdealwecouldget! Squaaawwk!

Compromise! Compromise! Compromise! Squaaawwk!

[Psalm 144]

Perfect description.

[mrsmith]

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement today regarding his vote in opposition to the new version of the Budget Control Act of 2011:

“Last week I made the difficult decision to compromise and voted for Speaker Boehner’s plan. While the Boehner plan was not perfect, it was a realistic approach and a step in the right direction. Among other things, it required passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution before a second increase in the debt ceiling.

“However, the legislation before us today was not quite as good. By contrast, today’s deal only requires a Balanced Budget Amendment to be voted on – not passed. I hope the Democrat controlled Senate will pass a Balanced Budget Amendment as a common sense solution to solve America’s debt problem, but it is far from certain. Additionally, there is a provision which, if there is congressional inaction, would allow President Obama to effectively raise the debt ceiling an additional $1.2 trillion, triggering an equal amount of blind cuts.

“After thoroughly reviewing the legislation and hearing from constituents, I came to the conclusion that I should not vote for this bill.”

A good guy, very happy with him.
Mea Culpa: I was one constituent who told him to vote for Boehner’s earlier bill, bad as it was.

[baddog 219]

[Tatze]

The Senate Nays:

Ayotte (R-NH)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coats (R-IN)
Coburn (R-OK)
DeMint (R-SC)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Graham (R-SC) (wow!)
Grassley (R-IA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Heller (R-NV)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Lee (R-UT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Moran (R-KS)
Nelson (D-NE)
Paul (R-KY)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sanders (I-VT)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Toomey (R-PA)
Vitter (R-LA)

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00123

[Covenantor]

Thanks for posting the nay votes.
Best guess on the last moment flippers would be among these folk:

Gillibrand (D-NY)

Graham (R-SC)

Harkin (D-IA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Nelson (D-NE)

[trustandobey]

Coburn has something to explain to me. He was part of the gang of 6 who effectively killed Cut Cap and Balance, the only real option to fix this economy. Now he’s afraid and getting religion. I don’t think so! If he’s really sorry let him come out and say he was wrong and work to defeat some of the Rino’s he was supporting.

[clintonh8r]

Thanks.

Surprised that Graham voted opposite his husband...

[jagusafr]

“The real debt crisis is not a debate that has been imposed on Washington by Tea Party activists. It is a crisis Washington has imposed on the American people through laziness, incompetence, dishonesty and political expediency.”

The emperors are butt nekkid. Good for Coburn.

Colonel, USAFR

[Georgia Girl 2]

How come none of these guys says “I voted agains’t this bill because its unconstitutional to create a 12 member committee to originate the financial legislation of the United States”? Not one of them will stand up and denounce what is effectively a Coup de etat of the United States House of Representatives. Now you will have memebers of the Senate sitting on a House Committee.