Richard Tisei’s allies told the Boston Globe Wednesday that best reason for Massachusetts voters to elect him is that they can count on Tisei to work with Republican Congressional leadership. What does the Republican agenda look like and what have Republicans in Congress done in the 113th Congress?
- Recklessly shut down the government.
- Huge new tax breaks the ultra-wealthy, big oil, and the special interests.
- End the Medicare guarantee for seniors.
- Cut Pell grants for college students.
- Slash funding for public education.
- Deny women equal pay for equal work.
- Allow women be charged more for health care.
- Oppose raising the minimum wage.
“The best case Congressional Republicans can make for electing Tisei is that he will help them advance their agenda that stacks the deck in favor of the special interests and the ultra wealthy by shifting the burden onto hardworking Massachusetts families and seniors,” said Marc Brumer of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “If the best reason to elected Richard Tisei is that he will be help Republicans continue their assault on the middle class, then he’s is even more out of touch with the priorities of Massachusetts than we thought.”
BACKGROUND:
Republicans Voted for Government Shutdown. In 2013, House Republicans voted for an extreme continuing resolution that the Associated Press reported would “likely result” in the shutdown of the federal government. The bill passed 230-189. [HJ Res 59, Vote #478, 9/20/13; Associated Press, 8/23/13]
Republicans Budget Proposal Would “Reduce Taxes for the Wealthy.” “House Republicans will revive Rep. Paul Ryan’s lightning-rod proposals to slash the federal safety net, beef up military spending and reduce taxes for the wealthy in a budget unveiled Tuesday — an election-year calling card that Democrats are poised to use against the GOP.” [Los Angeles Times, 4/01/14]
Republican Budget Would Cut Corporate Tax Rate by 10 Percent. “That plan would collapse the current seven individual tax brackets into two and lower the top individual rate from 39.6 percent to 25 percent. The corporate rate would also be slashed to 25 percent, from its current 35 percent.” [The Hill, 4/01/14]
Republican Budget Would Protect $45 Billion in Subsidies for Big Oil. “His budget would also protect $45 billion in tax subsidies over 10 years to oil companies, the top five of which are already reaping $93 billion in profits from 2013 alone.” [Center for American Progress, 4/01/14]
AARP: Republican Budget Would Remove the Medicare Guarantee. “Chairman Ryan’s proposed budget fails to address the high costs of health care and instead shifts costs onto seniors and future retirees. Repealing the benefits of the Affordable Care Act ignores the progress we’ve made to improve access to health care and protect against discrimination based on age, gender or medical history. Removing the Medicare guarantee of affordable health coverage for older Americans by implementing a premium support system and asking seniors and future retirees to pay more is not the right direction.” [AARP Press Release, 4/01/14]
Republican Budget “Would Cut Funding to Pell Grants” and Cap Grant Awards. It would cut funding to Pell Grants by imposing a maximum income eligibility cap, ending funding for less than half-time students and capping the maximum award to $5,730. [Time Magazine, 4/01/14]
House Democrats: Republican Budget Would Cut $89 Billion from K-12 Education. In 2014, House Democrats on the budget committee reported that the Republican Budget would cut $89 billion from K-12 education through 2024, including $28 billion from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and $35 billion from Title 1. [House Democrats on the Budget Committee, 4/07/14]
House Republicans Voted Repeatedly Against Considering the Paycheck Fairness Act. In 2013 and 2014, House Republicans voted 4 times against considering the Paycheck Fairness Act. [H Res 146, Vote #97, 4/11/13; H Res 198, Vote #132, 5/07/13; H Res 544, Vote #169, 4/08/14; H Res 494, Vote #465, 7/30/14]
House Republicans Have Voted 54 Times on the Affordable Care Act. “Republicans are reminding voters that since they took control of the House in 2011, they’ve voted 54 times to undo, revamp or tweak the law.” [Washington Post, 3/21/14]
Repeal Could Allow Insurance Companies to Charge More Based on Gender. “First, the Affordable Care Act eliminates the discrimination that women have faced when buying insurance. For years, insurance companies may have charged women up to ten times more for their insurance than they charged men. Women often were denied coverage because of a ‘pre-existing’ condition. […] Under Obamacare, insurance companies can no longer use gender as a factor when setting premiums.” [Washington Post, 9/30/13]
House Republicans Have Voted Repeatedly Against Considering Raising the Minimum Wage. In 2014, House Republicans have voted seven times against considering the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 over two years. [Politico, 2/25/14; H Res 487, Vote #65, 2/26/14; H Res 492, Vote #79, 2/27/14; H Res 530, Vote #152, 4/02/14; H Res 539, Vote #157, 4/04/14; H Res 555, Vote #180, 4/29/14; H Res 557, Vote #184, 4/30/14; H Res 494, Vote #465, 7/30/14]