12-4-2012
http://news.yahoo.com/two-conservat...d-house-budget-panel-154212850--business.html
Two conservative Republicans booted from House budget panel
Two of the most conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives have been kicked off the House Budget Committee, a rare move that could make it easier for the panel to advance a deal with Democrats to cut fiscal deficits.
Representatives Tim Huelskamp of Kansas and Justin Amash of Michigan - both Tea Party favorites - said they were purged from the panel because they defied leadership too often to defend their conservative principles. Two other Republicans also lost assignments on other committees.
Huelskamp called his ouster "petty" and "vindictive."
"What this says is that dissent will not be tolerated, particularly conservative dissent," he told an audience at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank.
He added that Boehner wanted to silence opposition to a deal that would raise taxes.
"I think this makes it very clear to conservatives that you're about to get run over. Sit down and just lump it," he said.
While there is often wrangling over committee chairmanships just before a new Congress takes office, it is rare for rank-and-file committee members to be stripped of their assignments.
Update: 12-5-2012
http://news.yahoo.com/republican-unity-frays-amid-fiscal-cliff-tension-004321391--business.html
Republican unity frays amid "fiscal cliff" tension
Congressional Republicans had wanted to show a united front against President Barack Obama's demand for tax hikes, but their tenuous coalition showed signs of strain on Tuesday.
CONSERVATIVES HOWL
Senator Jim DeMint, of South Carolina, a favorite of the anti-tax Tea Party movement, said the plan would "destroy jobs" and let Washington continue to grow U.S. deficits.
DeMint's comments, along with criticism from other conservative lawmakers, showed Boehner faces pressure to stand firm against raising taxes while some in his ranks believe he needs to do so to obtain the elusive common ground with Obama's Democrats.
"This isn't rocket science. Everyone knows that when you take money out of the economy (with tax hikes), it destroys jobs, and everyone knows that when you give politicians more money, they spend it," DeMint said.
"This is why Republicans must oppose tax increases and insist on real spending reductions that shrink the size of government and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money," the South Carolina Republican said.
Republican Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma - who last week suggested Republicans cave to Obama's demands to renew tax cuts for income of up to $250,000 while allowing those on higher income to expire next month - voiced support for Boehner.
"There is a difference between suggesting a play to the quarterback and tackling him when he runs something else," Cole said.
"I recognize that the speaker makes the final call and he has my complete support," Cole said, predicting Boehner will reach a bipartisan deal that's backed by most House Republicans.
"I sense cautious optimism," Cole said.
As for DeMint's comments, Cole said, "I have a lot of respect for Jim DeMint. But criticism has to be coupled with something that is political possible to be useful," Cole said.
The internal Republican disputes are a sign of frustration that Obama and his Democrats appear to have the upper hand, said Greg Valliere of the Potomac Research Group, which tracks Washington politics for institutional investors. All Obama needs to do is wait and taxes will rise, although that risks damaging the economy.
"Republicans realize they will get much of the blame if we go over the cliff. And as they game out the ultimate outcome - which inevitably will include major compromises - they are acting more frustrated in public," Valliere said.
http://news.yahoo.com/two-conservat...d-house-budget-panel-154212850--business.html
Two conservative Republicans booted from House budget panel
Two of the most conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives have been kicked off the House Budget Committee, a rare move that could make it easier for the panel to advance a deal with Democrats to cut fiscal deficits.
Representatives Tim Huelskamp of Kansas and Justin Amash of Michigan - both Tea Party favorites - said they were purged from the panel because they defied leadership too often to defend their conservative principles. Two other Republicans also lost assignments on other committees.
Huelskamp called his ouster "petty" and "vindictive."
"What this says is that dissent will not be tolerated, particularly conservative dissent," he told an audience at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank.
He added that Boehner wanted to silence opposition to a deal that would raise taxes.
"I think this makes it very clear to conservatives that you're about to get run over. Sit down and just lump it," he said.
While there is often wrangling over committee chairmanships just before a new Congress takes office, it is rare for rank-and-file committee members to be stripped of their assignments.
Update: 12-5-2012
http://news.yahoo.com/republican-unity-frays-amid-fiscal-cliff-tension-004321391--business.html
Republican unity frays amid "fiscal cliff" tension
Congressional Republicans had wanted to show a united front against President Barack Obama's demand for tax hikes, but their tenuous coalition showed signs of strain on Tuesday.
CONSERVATIVES HOWL
Senator Jim DeMint, of South Carolina, a favorite of the anti-tax Tea Party movement, said the plan would "destroy jobs" and let Washington continue to grow U.S. deficits.
DeMint's comments, along with criticism from other conservative lawmakers, showed Boehner faces pressure to stand firm against raising taxes while some in his ranks believe he needs to do so to obtain the elusive common ground with Obama's Democrats.
"This isn't rocket science. Everyone knows that when you take money out of the economy (with tax hikes), it destroys jobs, and everyone knows that when you give politicians more money, they spend it," DeMint said.
"This is why Republicans must oppose tax increases and insist on real spending reductions that shrink the size of government and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money," the South Carolina Republican said.
Republican Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma - who last week suggested Republicans cave to Obama's demands to renew tax cuts for income of up to $250,000 while allowing those on higher income to expire next month - voiced support for Boehner.
"There is a difference between suggesting a play to the quarterback and tackling him when he runs something else," Cole said.
"I recognize that the speaker makes the final call and he has my complete support," Cole said, predicting Boehner will reach a bipartisan deal that's backed by most House Republicans.
"I sense cautious optimism," Cole said.
As for DeMint's comments, Cole said, "I have a lot of respect for Jim DeMint. But criticism has to be coupled with something that is political possible to be useful," Cole said.
The internal Republican disputes are a sign of frustration that Obama and his Democrats appear to have the upper hand, said Greg Valliere of the Potomac Research Group, which tracks Washington politics for institutional investors. All Obama needs to do is wait and taxes will rise, although that risks damaging the economy.
"Republicans realize they will get much of the blame if we go over the cliff. And as they game out the ultimate outcome - which inevitably will include major compromises - they are acting more frustrated in public," Valliere said.
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