Nussle Uses False Arguments to Defend Soaring Federal Deficits
IowaDemocrats.org
Nussle Claims 9/11 is to Blame; Facts Show Tax Cuts, Increased Spending Are the Real Cause
DES MOINES – Jim Nussle once again tried to justify soaring budget deficits
to Dubuque voters this weekend by blaming the war on terror. However,
even conservative think tanks blame increased federal spending and tax
cuts for wealthy Americans for the largest budget deficits in America’s
history.
In a
Dubuque Telegraph Herald article from February 4th, Nussle claims, “The
huge deficit was caused more by Osama bin Laden than George W. Bush.”
However, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported in January,
2004, that the Bush tax cuts are three times more responsible for
deficits than war and defense funding. [Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities. 1/26/04] Even the conservative Heritage Foundation
has said, “’Defense and 9/11 are not responsible for most of the
spending increases.’” [Washington Post, 10/3/05]
Last
week, the U.S. House narrowly passed the FY06 budget reconciliation
bill that Nussle claimed would save taxpayers $40 billion over ten
years. However, the House will soon
take up a bill approving $60 billion in tax cuts that negate any
savings and adds $20 billion to the federal deficit. Nussle has voiced
support for these budget-busting tax cuts.
“Nussle’s
argument that the exploding budget deficits are caused by September
11th and the war in Iraq just don’t ring true,” said Iowa Democratic
Party Executive Director Mike Milligan. “When will Nussle finally tell
Iowa voters the truth: that out of control Republican spending policies
and extreme tax cuts for the richest Americans are to blame for federal
deficits?”
(Source)
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