September 3, 2012
U.S. Rep. Lee Terry’s new TV ad calls the growing national debt a “ticking time bomb” that needs to be defused by making big cuts to federal spending.
The thirty second ad reiterates the fact that Terry has voted 157 times to cut spending from bills that were considered on the House floor since January 2009. Terry’s votes would reduce federal spending by seven trillion dollars more than currently planned over the next decade, an astounding amount of deficit reduction.
“The voters have a real choice in this race. I have a proven record of voting to cut spending. My opponent offers the same old, tired song of more spending, more debt and a huge increase in taxes on middle-class families,” Terry said.
Terry’s opponent is on record as supporting the failed $800 billion stimulus program and $1.7 trillion healthcare law that together add $2.5 trillion to the national debt.[1] Incredibly, he has also called for “repeal” of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, an action that would trigger a $166 billion tax increase next year on virtually all taxpayers.[2]
“Voters who I talk to want spending cut,” Terry said. “I’ve been voting to do just that. My opponent, on the other hand, says he wants to cut the federal deficit but then turns around and endorses policies that would spend trillions more. You can’t cut spending by increasing spending. And, you can’t get the economy growing by hitting families with massive tax hikes.”
An average middle-class family in Omaha would have their taxes hiked by between $1,600 and $2,200 annually under the Ewing plan.[3] The 2001 and 2003 revisions reduced taxes on wage earners, families with children, small businesses and seniors who depend on dividend and interest income for their retirement. Terry voted in the House on August 1 to extend the current tax relief provisions.
“I am proud to have voted to continue with the current sensible tax relief. If we don’t, an average middle-class family in Omaha will pay thousands of dollars more in taxes,” Terry said.
Terry’s ad will have a substantial airing on broadcast and cable television in the Greater Omaha area, according to Dave Boomer, Terry’s campaign manager.
The text of “Debt Clock” follows:
Lee Terry: I’m Lee Terry and I approve this message, but I don’t approve of this (Terry points to national debt clock).
Narrator: Nebraskans know that the national debt is a ticking time bomb. Lee has listened. That’s why he’s voted one hundred fifty-seven times to cut spending. Seven trillion more in cuts. And, he led the fight for a balanced budget amendment.[4]
John Ewing’s plan: more spending, more borrowing and higher taxes on working families. He even backed the 1.7 trillion dollar healthcare law.
John Ewing. Failed plans we can’t afford in Congress.
[1] Omaha World-Herald, “Howard, Ewing agree on most debate issues,” news story by Robynn Tysver, January 21, 2012
[2] Omaha World-Herald, “Ewing touts resume ahead of campaign for House seat,” news story by Robynn Tysver, July 17, 2011. Joint Committee on Taxation, “Estimated budget effects of the ‘Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation act of 2010,” December 10, 2010.
[3] The Hill newspaper, “White House warns of $1,600 tax hike on 114M middle-class families,” news story by Jonathan Easley, July 24, 2012.
[4] Terry has sponsored a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution (H.J. Res. 1) to require a balanced federal budget and was intimately involved with the House Republican working group to develop policy and floor strategy on it.
