Friday, December 12, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The contrast between the political ideology of the two men who represent portions of the Mahoning Valley could not be sharper -- and reflect more vividly the wide partisan divide in the U.S. House of Representatives -- than the statements each released last night following the narrow passage of a $1.1 trillion spending package.
The bill, which would fund the federal government through September, now goes to the U.S. Senate, which last night agreed to extend by two days the federal government’s current funding levels in order to provide time for debate.
The House vote was 219 in favor; 206 opposed. Lining up with the majority Republicans was U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-6 Ohio. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio, voted against the spending bill.
Johnson’s statement emphasized the spending plan “provides no new funding for Obamacare” and reduces funding for the Internal Revenue Service -- ‘one of the agencies tasked with implementing President Obama’s health care law,” he said.
“Very importantly for those across eastern and southeastern Ohio, the legislation cuts the EPA by $60 million,” Johnson continued. “Any opportunity to cut the EPA’s budget and rein them in is a win for Ohioans.”
Ryan took the opposite view, calling the spending bill “a hand-out to the big banks and opens the door for big money to further corrupt our political process all the while gutting the pensions of working class families. While I believe it is important to pass a long-term government funding bill, I could not vote in favor of this package that includes so many toxic, partisan provisions.”
Here is the remainder of Ryan’s statement:
This legislation fails to include an extension of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), which helped so many struggling families pay their health bills, including more than 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees. On top of that, I am vehemently opposed to the last minute inclusion of language that severely cuts the pensions of retirees enrolled in multi-employer pension plans. These changes would slash the benefits of the hardworking men and women of my district and across the nation who are entitled to the retirement they were promised.
"This legislation, if enacted, would also be one of the most corrupting campaign finance rules on our books by allowing individuals to contribute to each national party’s three committees a total of $1,555,200 per election cycle. We are continuing down a dangerous path when it comes to how our elections are paid for and how our democracy operates. Furthermore, I cannot support the inclusion of language, written by Citi Group that allows taxpayer-insured commercial banks to trade derivatives. Banks have the right to gamble with their own money, but the risk cannot be on the backs of the American taxpayers. I am disappointed that Congress could not compromise and pass a clean government funding bill. The American people deserve better."
Here is the full text of Johnson’s statement:
“The bipartisan legislation that passed the House today represents the reality of divided government, takes steps toward a more fiscally responsible government, and establishes the lowest spending level in five years. It provides: no new funding for Obamacare; cuts the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) by $10 million; provides no funding for the Administration’s “Race to the Top” program -- one of President Obama’s primary initiatives to coerce states into adopting Common Core; contains additional, strong pro-life provisions; protects all Americans’ Second Amendment rights; cuts funding for the IRS by $345.6 million -- one of the agencies tasked with implementing President Obama’s health care law; and, addresses many more priorities of the hard-working taxpayers that sent us here.
“Very importantly to those across eastern and southeastern Ohio, the legislation cuts the EPA by $60 million. This is the fifth year in a row the EPA budget has been reduced, and it brings EPA total staffing to its lowest level since 1989. The EPA has put a stranglehold on the coal industry through its crippling, and job-killing regulations. Any opportunity to cut the EPA’s budget and rein them in is a win for Ohioans. This legislation would also protect farmers from the EPA’s Clean Water Act by preventing the Army Corps from regulating farm ponds and irrigation ditches. Additionally, this legislation supports our troops in providing them with a well-earned pay raise, and provides the Department of Defense the funding it needs to continue to combat ISIL and other global threats to our security.
“Congress will be better suited to address the President’s blatant executive overreach on amnesty early next year when the new Republican-led Senate is sworn in, and Harry Reid is no longer Senate majority leader and chief obstructionist.
“By no means is this bill perfect; however, as Thomas Jefferson famously said, “the ground of liberty is to be gained by inches,” and this responsible legislation gets America moving in the right direction as we enter 2015.”
SOURCES: Offices of U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson and Tim Ryan.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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