From our Capitol Hill insider, the Honorable Elizabeth Letchworth, who is keeping a sharp eye on the Super Duper Committee’s activity:
Notwithstanding the presser that the “Go big” group of 101 members of the House and 45 Sens will call today at 2:30pm, most see the SC locked into the only deal they can get together by the 23rd of Nov. which is this:
–Approx. $600 to 800B in the low hanging fruit from the Simpson/Bowles group, the Biden talks and the “gang of 6” i.e.: ending the ethanol subsidy, other farm subsidy cuts and savings from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
–Instructing W & M and Finance comms to find the rest of the savings via tax increases of closing loopholes. This second process will be much like the budget reconciliation process in that it will have time tables for reporting to Congress and limited amdt and debate time on the House and Senate floor
–The Parliamentarians will rule that this type of two-bill-process meets the goals under the Budget Reform act
The GOP and DEM Senate party luncheons will hear more about these during their lunches today from 12:30 to 2:15PM today.
Meanwhile, the Leaders in both the House and the Senate have agreed to the final number that will be needed to extend the CR passed this Friday. The new date is Friday, Dec. 16. The total amount is about the same as last year with no real increases in the overall discretionary spending.
So, how is the Tea Party reponding to this?
From Amy Kremer at the Tea Party Express (did you hear her last night on the Tea Party Express’ debut radio show?
The Tea Party Express is excited to partner with radio talk show host Rick Amato and KCBQ AM 1170 in San Diego by launching a new weekly conservative radio program that will focus on TeaParty issues Called the Tea Party Express Hour.
The show will be hosted by former California Assemblyman and Chairman of the Our Country Deserves Better PAC (parent organization toTea Party Express) Howard Kaloogian every Monday evening at 7 PM PST (10PM EDT).
Featuring updates from Washington insiders, Tea Party activists around the country and guest callers, the show is certain to contain important insight regarding the crucial economic issues facing America today.
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Today the Tea Party Express launched an online petition drive that sends a message to Republicans and the members of The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, better known as the Super Committee: Stop spending and stop raising our taxes!
Reports that the Republican members of the Committee have agreed to a framework of tax increases to replace spending cuts is appalling. The election of 2010 was a total repudiation of the “tax and spend” mentality that has brought America to a fiscal crisis with excessive spending and an out-of-control national debt.
It is time to reign in the Republican members who are trying to appease the liberal Democrats by raising our taxes and limiting cuts in excessive federal spending. We must make our voices heard.
Two weeks ago, 40 Republican House Members signed a letter that supported tax increases. However, House Speaker Boehner has not said anything in response to it! Speaker Boehner must stand up and show some leadership in order to help implement conservative policies. He cannot sit back quietly as the liberals and RHINOs go back to their backroom deals with the Democrats!
We need conservatives everywhere to sign this petition and remind Washington politicians that the Tea Party has not gone anywhere!
Please pass along our email to everyone that you know that is concerned about our rising national doubt. There is strength in numbers!
2012 is shaping up to be a battle for the future of our country – do Americans want the big government progressive policies of Obama or conservative common sense principles that the Tea Party Express continues to defend?
We here at the Tea Party Express are guided by our 6 basic principles:
- No more bailouts
- Reduce the size and intrusiveness of government
- Stop raising our taxes
- Repeal Obamacare
- Cease out-of-control spending
- Bring back American prosperity and jobs
If you agree with us and want to help further these principles and preserve America’s greatness, please help by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more.
STEP 1: Please sign the petition!
STEP 2: Send this email to everyone you know that is concerned about our deficit!
Share This Message on Facebook & Twitter!
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Meanwhile the Obama propaganda arm at The Hill are taking a less-than-favorable look at Tea Party Express’ position:
Tea Party group petitioning against supercommittee compromise
By Cameron Joseph
The Tea Party Express is circulating a petition blasting any supercommittee compromise that includes tax increases, following reports that some Republican members of the panel have put nominal tax increases on the table.
“Reports that the Republican members of the committee have agreed to a framework of tax increases to replace spending cuts is appalling,” Tea Party Express co-chairman Amy Kremer wrote in an email sent to members asking them to fight any compromise. “The election of 2010 was a total repudiation of the ‘tax and spend’ mentality that has brought America to a fiscal crisis with excessive spending and an out-of-control national debt.”
The group strongly opposed all proposed compromises in the debt-ceiling debate last summer, a move that might have helped keep hard-line conservatives in the House from supporting a deal House Speaker John Boehner had reached with President Obama. They are looking to recreate that environment this time around and force Republicans into an uncompromising position.
