FreedomWorks to Rep. Scalise: What Changed?

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to Rep. Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) past statements of support for a balanced budget and adherence to fiscal conservatism, Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks President, commented:

“As the former chair of the Republican Study Committee, Rep. Scalise was a stalwart advocate for fiscal conservatism and a balanced budget. We cheered him for his tough stands against President Obama’s blow-out budgets. However, now as Minority Whip, Rep. Scalise’s support for a budget deal that will add $2 trillion to our debt is extremely puzzling, to say the least.

“On behalf of FreedomWorks’ grassroots community, as well as Rep. Scalise’s constituents, his peers, and fiscal conservatives across the nation, I’d like to simply know: What changed?

“The excuses are the same — Blame Democrats and say it’s for the military. It is projected that in 2025 we will spend more on interest on the debt each year than we spend on the military. How is this good for the long-term readiness of our military? Marginal increases in the overall defense budget today in exchange for being unable to finance defense at all in the future?

“Regarding a deal like this: How, with a straight face, can Republican leadership look to conservative voters and say that they are the party of fiscal responsibility? This reversal on spending will cause permanent damage to the credibility of any member who supports this bill, and to the credibility of the Republican Party.

“It gives me no joy in having to be so critical of good friends and I can’t even believe that we are here. However, FreedomWorks exists to support bold legislators who take on the debt crisis seriously, not to be complicit in bankrupting and ruining this great nation.

“This budget vote will give a preview of future GOP congressional leadership. We’ll soon learn who is serious about cutting spending and who is all talk.”