Time for Hall to Take a Stance: Pelosi Unveils Trillion-Dollar Healthcare Bill

Where Does John Hall Stand on Healthcare Takeover’s Higher Costs, Increased Taxes, and Cuts to Medicare?

Washington- After months of horse trading and party infighting, Democrats have finally introduced their government healthcare takeover bill. Now that they’ve gotten around to putting something on the table, it’s time for John Hall to make his position on this final product known: Will he stand up against higher taxes, fewer jobs and sweeping cuts to Medicare? Or will Hall side with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of his friends in Washington to support his party’s reckless march toward government-run healthcare?

Contrary to Democrat leaders’ claims that their bill for government-run healthcare is more palatable to the ‘moderate’ wing of the Democrat party, one senior liberal stated otherwise:

“But there were signs Tuesday that at least some prominent advocates of a left-leaning reform package were ready to deal in the interest of moving a bill. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), who has introduced a measure to create a single-payer universal health care system every Congress since he was elected, pressed a closed-door huddle of House Democrats on the urgency of swift action...‘I want single payer, but I’m smart enough to know what we have here is progress.’” (Tory Newmyer, “House Leaders Ready to Unveil Moderate-Favored Plan,” Roll Call, 10/28/09)

Without question, the Democrats’ bill reeks of government-run healthcare. Priced at a whopping $1 trillion, it forces companies to comply with stringent regulations and imposes drastic fines for noncompliance.

“The final product in the House, reflecting many of President Barack Obama's priorities, includes new requirements for employers to offer insurance to their workers or face penalties, fines on Americans who don't purchase coverage and subsidies to help lower-income people do so. Insurance companies would face new prohibitions against charging much more to older people or denying coverage to people with health conditions…The price tag, topping $1 trillion over 10 years…” (Erica Werner, “House Democrats to unveil health bill with government-run insurance, hefty sign-up requirement,” Associated Press, 10/27/2009)

“Now that the Democrats’ takeover of healthcare has been revealed, John Hall owes New Yorkers an answer: Will he side with them or his friends in Washington?” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “John Hall's support for a massive healthcare takeover would be nothing more than a spineless attempt to appease his party bosses and line his own campaign coffers while New York families are stuck with the price tag for a bill that raises taxes, kills jobs, and slashes Medicare. With the bill finally public, Hall can either take a stand for New York taxpayers or turn her back on them in an attempt to gain favor with his Washington party bosses.”

Hall's Failed Stimulus Sends Deficit to New All-Time High

Federal Deficit Reaches $1.42 Trillion Thanks to Hall's Washington Spending Spree

Washington- John Hall's vote for his party’s trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ has failed to yield promised results as the nation’s economy continues to tumble, but it does appear that his Washington spending spree has finally helped produced something: the largest deficit in the country’s history. While Americans are still waiting to see any real recovery coming from Hall's reckless policies, they can pass the time by watching the hole in the federal budget grow larger and larger:

“The federal budget deficit has surged to an all-time high of $1.42 trillion as the recession caused tax revenues to plunge while the government was spending massive amounts to stabilize the financial system and jump-start the economy.”

“Government spending last year jumped to $3.52 trillion, up 18.2 percent over 2008, the biggest percentage increase since a 23.4 percent jump in 1975, another year in which the country was struggling with a painful recession. The $700 billion financial bailout fund and increased spending and tax relief from the $787 billion economic stimulus program that Obama pushed through Congress in February drove the 2009 increase.”

“Failure to curb runaway deficits could trigger a financial train wreck that would push interest rates and inflation higher, and send the dollar crashing if foreigners suddenly started dumping their holdings of Treasury securities.” (Martin Crutsinger, “Federal Deficit Hits All-Time High at $1.42 Trillion,” Associated Press, 10/17/09)

“At this point it’s clear that John Hall is buying into his party’s spending addiction at the expense of economic recovery and financial solvency for future generations,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “If Hall can’t figure out how to stop spending the country into further debt in the name of failed ‘recovery’ policies, New York voters will find someone who can.”

As the deficit continues to climb to new highs, the country has reached a turning point. It’s time for John Hall to either start cleaning up after his failed policies or cleaning out his desk in Washington.

John Hall's Stimulus Isn’t Stimulating New York’s Economy

New York Spends $59,970,000 of Taxpayer Dollars to Produce an Unimpressive 656 Jobs

Washington- With 15.1 million people out of work and a national unemployment rate of 9.8%, it’s painfully obvious that John Hall and his fellow Democrat colleagues’ failed stimulus has fallen short of the promises they once made. New York state officials report that $59,970,000 has been spent over the course of eight months, only producing a meager 656 jobs, paling in comparison to the 188,000 jobs lost in the past year alone.

These staggering numbers only leave New York families to wonder: Where are the jobs that Democrats once promised?

President Obama promised to create or save 600,000 jobs by the end of the summer:

“He also repeated an earlier promise to create or save 600,000 jobs by the end of the summer. Neither the acceleration nor the jobs goal are new. Both represent a White House repackaging of promises and projects to blunt criticism that the effects haven't been worth the historic price tag. And the job estimate is so murky, it can never be verified.” (Brett Blackledge and Matt Apuzzo, “Obama's Stimulus Promise: More Than 600,000 Jobs,” The Associate Press, 6/08/2009)

However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment declined by 263,000 in September and job losses averaged 307,000 per month from May through September. Despite the numbers stacked against the stimulus, Democrats refuse to admit their failures:

“Vice President Joe Biden delivered a rousing review of the government’s economic stimulus plan in a conversation with the nation’s governors. ‘In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well,’ he said. ‘Thank you, thank you.’” (Elizabeth Williamson, “Biden on Stimulus: ‘Never Thought It Would Work This Well’,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/24/2009)

“After giving a free pass to spend an astronomical $59,970,000 of New York taxpayer money with little to show for it, John Hall's failed stimulus has led to nothing more than a jobless recovery,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Despite numerous promises from Congressional Democrats, there are still 15.1 million Americans out of work. After wasting taxpayer dollars to produce an unimpressive 656 jobs in New York, middle-class families are still asking one thing: Where are the jobs?”

John Hall and his Democrat colleagues’ failed promises have driven an already-struggling economy further into the ground, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Will he wake up? Or will New York voters have to force him to do so next November?

(Source: www.recovery.gov)

John Hall: Corruption? What Corruption?

Hall Blocks Measure Asking Tax-Cheating Dem Chairman to Step Down

Washington- With corruption running rampant through the ranks of the Democrat party as unemployment and deficits continue to rise, John Hall looked the other way today when he sided with Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel, a powerful New York political boss who has a long history of playing fast and loose with the law. Despite Rangel’s well-documented penchant for cheating on his taxes, failing to disclose income, and breaking House rules, Hall sided with his corrupt colleague when he voted to block consideration of a resolution on the House floor requiring Rangel to step down from his powerful committee chairmanship until the House Ethics Committee completes its seemingly endless investigation into Rangel’s dirty deeds (House Roll Call 759).

The vote came as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continuously refuses to ask her crooked wingman to step down from his post:

“Why is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refusing a growing chorus of calls to drop the hammer on ethics-challenged Charlie Rangel?”

“Because, at the moment, doing nothing creates a lot less trouble for Pelosi than doing anything, current and former House aides tell POLITICO.”

“‘The speaker is totally behind him, and she told him that the last few times they have spoken,’ the person added.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath to Drop Hammer on Rangel,” Politico, 9/5/09)

"In this time of great economic uncertainty and mounting deficits, what kind of message are John Hall and his liberal party leadership sending when they openly endorse an individual who can't even manage his own personal finances?" said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Hall faced a clear choice today: stand with his friends in Washington or stand with the voters and taxpayers who have to shoulder the burden of his party’s corruption problem. Hall's decision to back his Washington political boss is a clear sign that it’s time for both him and Congressman Rangel to make way for someone who thinks that Washington politicians should be held to the same standards as the rest of us.”

For full text of the resolution, click here.

Background:

Rangel’s Ethics Issues Have Been Mounting for Months: “Representative Charles B. Rangel has earned more than $75,000 in rental income from a villa he has owned in the Dominican Republic since 1988, but never reported it on his federal or state tax returns, according to a lawyer for the congressman and documents from the resort. Mr. Rangel’s three-bedroom villa at the Punta Cana Resort and Club in the Dominican Republic. Mr. Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the federal tax code, bought the beachfront villa at the Punta Cana Yacht Club and has received twice-yearly payments from the resort, which rents the property for $500 or more per night.” (David Kocieniewski, “Rangel Failed to Report $75,000 in Income,” New York Times, 9/5/08)

“An oil-drilling company whose chief executive pledged $1 million last year to a school to be named for Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Harlem) reportedly benefited from a tax loophole he helped preserve.” (“Congressman Charles Rangel Linked to Tax Loophole for Oil Executive,” Associated Press, 11/25/08)

“Already embroiled in an ethics probe now entering its tenth month, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, received more bad news Wednesday night as the House ethics committee announced it would look into Caribbean trips taken by the veteran lawmaker and four other Democrats.” (Josh Bresnahan, “Ten Months In, New Twist in Rangel Ethics Inquiry,” Politico, 6/25/09)

“House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel , already beset by a series of ethics investigations, has disclosed hundreds of thousands of dollars in previously unreported assets. Among the new items on Rangel’s amended 2007 financial disclosure report were an account at the Congressional Federal Credit Union worth at least $250,000, land in southern New Jersey and stock in PepsiCo and fast food conglomerate Yum! Brands. None of those investments appeared on the original report, which was filled out by hand and filed in May 2008.” (Richard Rubin and Alex Knott, “Rangel’s Wealth Jumps After Disclosure,” CQ Politics, 8/25/09)

“Representative Charles B. Rangel failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and assets on his financial disclosure forms for 2002 through 2006, including tens of thousands of dollars in rental income from a Harlem brownstone he sold in 2004, according to records filed this month with the clerk of the House of Representatives.” (David Kocieniewski, “Rangel Failed to Disclose More Income and Assets, Forms Show,” New York Times, 8/28/09)

“Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, has failed to pay taxes on two plots of land he has in New Jersey, records show. Rangel's ownership of the small, undeveloped properties came to light on Tuesday only after he drastically amended at least six years of financial-disclosure forms he had filed annually with the House clerk as required by law. The corrected filings as much as doubled the amount of personal wealth Rangel has claimed going back years and revealed at least $780,000 in previously unreported assets. The Harlem Democrat concealed somewhere between $38,902 and $116,800 in 2007 income, according to the revised filings. Among the assets he failed to list was a checking account containing somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000. Also undisclosed for years were two lots he owns in Glassboro, NJ, about 100 miles from the city. Rangel is delinquent on his taxes on that property, according to the Gloucester County Clerk's office.” (Charles Hurt and Perry R. Chiamonte, “Tax Chief Charlie a Tax ‘Cheat’ Too,” New York Post, 9/13/09)

Meanwhile, Calls For Rangel to Resign Have Come from Far and Wide: “Want to understand why 2009 has witnessed the eruption of Tea Party and Town Hall protests of unprecedented intensity? Look no further than Rep. Charles Rangel, the New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that writes tax law for the rest of us... It's not like he's got nowhere to go. There's always that little rental villa he owns at the Punta Canta Yacht Club in the Dominican Republic. He forgot to report $75,000 in income he derived from that asset but I am betting it's looking a lot more attractive to him as a retirement spot these days.” (“Stop Embarrassing Us, Mr. Rangel. Resign.” Washington Times Editorial, 8/28/09)

“This recommendation does not come easily, considering the New York Democrat’s four decades of service in Congress. But Mr. Rangel himself has felt obliged to request three separate House ethics inquiries of his behavior. While denying serious improprieties, Mr. Rangel concedes that he has not lived up to the “higher standard” expected of members of Congress... Committee posts are not bestowed by voters. They are partisan privileges granted by leaders in Congress, and Ms. Pelosi must not cut slack for an ally. If Mr. Rangel refuses a temporary hiatus from his chairmanship, Ms. Pelosi should remove him permanently.” (“Chairman Rangel,” New York Times Editorial, 9/14/09)

“The man who is in charge of writing the nation’s tax laws doesn’t pay his federal income or local property taxes. He has such a poor grasp of his own finances that he neglects to list half his assets on a disclosure form intended to keep members of Congress accountable and honest. ‘House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has shown no interest in removing Rangel from his post. Why should she? We can already hear the defense of the next tax deadbeat called into court. If Charlie Rangel doesn’t have to pay his taxes, why should I?’” (Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein, “The Case Against Charlie Rangel,” New York Post, 9/4/09)

John Hall's Stimulus Still Not Working, Unemployment Hits 9.8%

September Unemployment Reaches New Heights as New York Families Wonder “Where Are the Jobs?”

Washington- With September unemployment numbers now out in the open, one thing is for sure: unemployment isn’t getting any better at 9.8%. Despite continued promises by John Hall and his Democrat comrades, the national unemployment rate continues to climb. This is clear indication that Nancy Pelosi’s failed ‘stimulus plan,’ which Hall supported, is nothing but a ploy for Democrats to force their tax and spend policies through Congress and onto the American people.

“Employers cut more jobs than forecast last month and the unemployment rate rose to a 26-year high, calling into question the sustainability of the economic recovery.

“The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, the highest since 1983, from 9.7 percent in August, the Labor Department said today in Washington. Payrolls fell by 263,000, following a revised 201,000 decline the prior month that was more/less than previously reported.” (Bob Willis, “U.S. Employers Cut More Jobs Than Forecast; Unemployment Rises,” Bloomberg, 10/2/09)

“After touting Nancy Pelosi’s failed economic policies, John Hall has led New York families into a jobless disarray and heaps of debt,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Given Hall's ongoing support for his party’s reckless spending agenda, it is painfully clear he is unable to provide the quality leadership New York families want. Rather than making independent decisions, Hall has become accustomed to serving as Nancy Pelosi’s yes-man. At this point it’s clear that New York families deserve better.”

With each new report indicating the Democrats’ stimulus plan as a failure, it’s unconscionable that Democrats continue to claim it’s working.

“Vice President Joe Biden delivered a rousing review of the government’s economic stimulus plan in a conversation with the nation’s governors. ‘In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well,’ he said. ‘Thank you, thank you.’” (Elizabeth Williamson, Biden on Stimulus: ‘Never Thought It Would Work This Well,’ The Wall Street Journal, 9/24/2009)

New York families have a message for John Hall and Vice President Biden: Your policy is a failure.