Jul 19, 2011
Representative Scott Desjarlais: Putting China before Tennessee’s Seniors
Representative Scott Desjarlais: Putting China before Tennessee’s Seniors
Representative Scott Desjarlais (TN-04) believes America should put China before the needs of Tennessee’s seniors. Desjarlais recently co-sponsored legislation that would require the U.S. government to pay debts to China before sending American seniors the Social Security benefits they count on every month. The President announced last week that if a debt ceiling agreement is not reached, Social Security and veterans benefits checks could be at risk.
“Representative Desjarlais would rather protect China than America’s seniors. How does he explain that to the 105,872 seniors he represents?” asked Adam Hodge of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Representative Desjarlais has already voted to end Medicare while protecting tax breaks for Big Oil and billionaires, now he’s taking aim at Social Security by putting China before Tennessee's families.”
Background
Representative Desjarlais is a Co-Sponsor to H.R. 2402. The bill, H.R. 2402, places payments on “the principal and interest on debt held by the public” as the number one priority. [Library of Congress, accessed 7/13/11, H.R. 2402, 7/12/11]
H.R. 2402 Places China As a Priority Over Social Security or Medicare Payments. H.R. 2402, introduced by Representative Daniel Webster, “would prioritize which debts the US should pay first, using tax revenue that the Treasury Department receives each month; a figure Webster estimated ranged from $110 billion to $290 billion. The top of the list: Treasury’s obligation to pay ‘the principal and interest on debt held by the public.’” [Orlando Sentinel, blog, 7/7/11]
Not Coming to an Agreement on the Debt Ceiling Puts Our Seniors at Risk. In an interview with CBS Evening News, Obama said, “I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it.” [Politico, 7/12/11]
U.S.’s Largest Creditor Is China. “China is the largest foreign creditor to the United States, holding more than $1 trillion in Treasury debt as of March, U.S. data shows.” [Reuters, 6/08/11]
Representative Desjarlais Voted for the 2012 Republican Budget Proposal to End Medicare. Representative Desjarlais voted to end Medicare by supporting the Republican budget. [H Con. Res. 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11]
Representative Desjarlais’ Congressional District Includes 105,872 Seniors. There are 105,872 seniors in Representative Desjarlais’ District according to the U.S. Census Bureau. [U.S. Census Bureau, accessed 7/13/11]
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