Campaign 2010

Jul 13, 2011

Representative Southerland Introduced Only One Bill in First 6 Months

In his first six months in Congress, Representative Steve Southerland (FL-02) has only introduced one piece of legislation, and that bill was actually authored by another Member of Congress in 2009.  Despite claiming that creating jobs and improving the economy was his top priority, Southerland only found time to vote for the Republican budget that would end Medicare and could cost 1.7 million American jobs.

 

“Florida families are struggling in these tough economic times but Representative Steve Southerland has failed to introduce a single bill that would create jobs or address our nation’s fiscal challenges in his first 6 months, and for this taxpayers paid him a salary of nearly $87,000,” said Adam Hodge of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  “Representative Steve Southerland has only introduced one piece of legislation in his first 6 months, but he did vote for the House Republican budget that would cost 1.7 million Americans their jobs and end Medicare.  Floridians are starting to ask themselves, ‘What is Steve Southerland actually doing in Washington?’”

 

Background Bullets:

 

  • Taxpayers have paid Southerland nearly $87,000 in salary so far this Congress for half a year’s work.  [Legistorm, accessed 7/6/11]

 

  • Southerland Campaigned on Creating Permanent New Jobs in Florida.  “As an experienced small businessman, I am prepared to lead where Allen Boyd has failed.  I will fight to create permanent new jobs in Florida and restore common sense economic policy in Washington.”  [Southerland Press Release, 9/17/10]

 

  • Former McCain Economic Advisor: 1.7 Million fewer Jobs Under the Ryan Plan.  According to Mark Zandi of Moody's, a former economist for the McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign, the Ryan approach would result in 1.7 million fewer jobs, including 900,000 next year, than is the case under the president's proposal.  [Moody's Analytics, 4/14/11]

 

  • Southerland’s Only Piece Of Legislation Was Authored Last Congress.  According to the Library of Congress, the only piece of legislation sponsored by Southerland (H.R. 935) clarifies that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements are not to be considered available resources under the supplemental security income program.  Identical legislation (H.R.1352) was introduced last Congress by Rep. Earl Pomeroy, (D-ND), in March 2009.  [Library of Congress, accessed 7/11/11]

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