Posted on 12/14/2013 6:08:50 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Business lobbyists are pumping their fists over Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) slap-down of conservative groups.
Executives at trade groups told The Hill they were pleasantly surprised by the strident remarks this week from the typically laid-back Speaker.
You didn't hear all the applause across downtown?” said Dirk Van Dongen, president and CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW). “Folks were absolutely pleased that he said it. … It needed to be said.”
Boehner this week said conservative groups had “lost all credibility” by opposing the budget pact before it was even released. He said the activist organizations are “using our members, and they’re using the American people for their own goals.”
The rebuke was a clear shot at Heritage Action for America, the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks and other conservative groups that have proven adept at drumming up conservative opposition to legislation.
Business groups, whose frustration with the Tea Party boiled over during the government shutdown, said Boehner’s broadside was long overdue.
“I think we have all said it. The business community has been uniformly frustrated at how strident the ideological groups have been in defiance of reason,” said David French, senior vice president of government relations of the National Retail Federation.
Lobbyists said they are encouraged by the fact that the budget accord easily passed the lower chamber despite the opposition of outside groups. They hope it’s a sign that the influence of the conservative organizations is on the wane.
“Speaker Boehner said what a lot of us had been thinking for a long time, that these 'purity for profit' groups are taking advantage of well-meaning but politically naive members,” said one business group lobbyist.
The pushback by Boehner comes as trade groups are vowing to protect business-friendly candidates in the 2014 elections.
Business groups weighed in for Bradley Byrne in an Alabama special House election and saw him triumph in a Republican primary. Industry donors from Michigan have sought to garner support for a challenger to Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), one of the more prominent GOP rebels.
The conservative groups have often squared off with their industry counterparts in Washington, especially in recent battles over the debt ceiling and the government shutdown. They bristled at lobbyists echoing Boehner’s criticism this past week.
“Corporations are some of the biggest seekers of welfare in this country,” said Barney Keller, a spokesman for the Club for Growth. “Business groups are often on the side of bigger government and when they are, we will be on the opposite side of them. And where they're not, we will be on the same side.”
Dan Holler, a spokesman for Heritage Action for America, said business groups’ backing of Boehner shows that the budget agreement was flawed policy.
“The fact that K Street is applauding confirms that the deal was bad and Speaker Boehner's comments confirm conservatives' worst suspicions about Washington that the game is rigged,” Holler said.
In an MSNBC interview on Friday, Michael Needham, Heritage Action’s CEO, said the Speaker was trying to move past budget issues to find a path forward on immigration reform — which has been lobbied for heavily by business groups.
“This deal increases spending, this deal increases taxes. And that is bad for the county and that is what we want to be focused on,” Needham said. “The Speaker also wants to clear the way for immigration reform next year.”
Business lobbyists have taken hope from the substantial House vote for the budget deal — 332-94, with 169 Republicans supporting the bill. They believe that represents a move back towards the center in the GOP caucus.
“It was a very, very strong vote, especially when you contrast it with the debt ceiling and government shutdown votes. A significant shift,” Van Dongen said. “It seems that a number of members realized that ‘burn the place down’ is not popular with the American public.”
The backing from many in his own party has strengthened Boehner who has had to deal with conservative insurgents on Capitol Hill over the past week.
“Boehner had a good week,” French said. “He is in a stronger position than he was a few weeks ago.”
We can defeat the progressive Republicans in open warfare.
I truly believe there is a sea change for them coming. I just found out even my supposedly conservative congressman voted for that budget capitulation bill.
I will be voting against him, even if that means pulling the lever for a Democrat. As a conservative, I will not be betrayed. I’d sooner see them all lose their power and see them diminished from it than to see them stay in office so they can betray us over and over.
You know... the Soviet Union broke up into the various republics. the “...stans”. I really believe we have that in our future. Maybe not in my lifetime... but it is coming.
“A majority of elected members on the Hill are bought and paid for.
A majority of elected members on the Hill are building their rolodex for their lobbying careers (where they pull in the big bucks).
Serve the people. Laughable. They’re in it to have power and make money.”
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Correct!
It is really sad when the ‘so-called’ engines of our economy are in bed with the political crooks in Washington. Knew it was bad but not that bad. Disaster days for America and Americans just around the corner.
.
They ARE Liberals!
Who would have thought so many GOPers would make our lists when the SHTF. Very near the top of the lists.
Trust me...it is time to make the American People realize what a scam has been perpetrated upon the people! No more eligibility extensions or reach backs!
With the ascendancy of conservatives, these business groups should be on notice that they are going to be punished for this anti-American aggression.
RINOs are the ones who are endlessly full of forgiveness and cooperation with their leftist enemies. Conservatives do not have this luxury.
Their making profits are generally a good thing. But their making profits at the expense of America and Americans is not. You either support internationalism, or you support America. You can’t do both.
So probably the best form of payback would be tariffs. If they want cheap manufacturing in other countries, that advantage should be taken away from them. Make it here, or don’t sell it here.
Boehner this week said conservative groups had “lost all credibility” by opposing the budget pact before it was even released.
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People like Boehner and his Republican cohorts are complicit in racking up a $17.2 TRILLION debt. THEY are the ones without any credibility. It is the Tea Party that is trying to stop the spen-a-thon and prevent an economic calamity.
Washington DC is totally corrupt. They will keep spending until they can’t, and then they they will leave a financial mess for someone else to clean up.
I’m using it as a means of reaching out to the left. I’m pointing out that claims that the tea party was supported by big business was false and all we want is a level playing field and an end to cronyism from both parties.
Ah yes... Business, and pray tell Mr. Businessman with your hands in the Congressman’s pockets, what will you be saying when you go bankrupt because there is no more ‘disposable income’ to buy your products anymore?
And what will you say when you too lose your job and position because there are no more taxpayers because you laid them all off due to a slow-down in your business?
It’s all a circle, Business > Employee > Taxpayer/consumer > Business. The external parasites, Politicians, Takers/Welfare and Bureaucrats are going to eat you and the rest until all are dead, because that’s what parasites do when they overcome the ‘body’s’ natural defenses.
The only way to stop that from happening is to break the cycle. Unfortunately doing that isn’t always a ‘given’, sometimes the body still dies.
The truth is, ya become Zimbabwe and there is no way back, with the hand full of ultra rich now coming for your wealth and property.
Absolutely true. Nearly all politicians (of both stripes) quickly contract Potomac Fever when they come to DC. Once they’re there, they never want to leave and will do anything to solidfy their lucrative “careers”, usually at the expense of the people.
You don't speak for us, you fascist prick. You speak for those wholly-owned arms of government who pretend to be free-market enterprises.
That’s exactly right. If Congress wanted to help small business they would reform and streamline customs and tariff laws, which are a Byzantine nightmare of past political favors done for large contributors.
“Corporations are some of the biggest seekers of welfare in this country,” said Barney Keller, a spokesman for the Club for Growth. “Business groups are often on the side of bigger government and when they are, we will be on the opposite side of them. And where they’re not, we will be on the same side.”
Wall Street, Chamber of Commerce,... It is a long list of fat cats who hedge their bets between Democrats and Republicans and jump on the bandwagon when one party turns out a winner.
Just look at how they are in favor of slave labor for big farm corporations at the expense of the working American citizens.
Disaster days for America and Americans just around the corner.
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And that is where we are heading. IMHO the first shock will be the rapid onset of a severe debt crisis. The national spend-a-thon is not going to have a happy ending for the vast majority of Americans.
I’m not a survivalist type, but its probably a good idea to start thinking about the consequences of the impending disaster and personal options for dealing with it. Just in case.
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