Tolbert: Crawford Resolution Seeks To Put Members On Record On Obamacare
by September 27, 2013 5:05 pm 113 views
It is not often one sees a Congressman introduce a resolution that he intends to vote against, but that is what Rep. Rick Crawford (R) did this week.
The resolution – House Joint Resolution 65 – could avoid the looming government shutdown approaching on Monday if another continuing resolution cannot be passed. It would also fund the federal government for the next 30 days, but would also force members to go on record supporting Obamacare.
The resolution would require affirmation of the following statement…
“Congress affirms that it makes sense for the United States Government to rush ahead with $1,300,000,000,000 in new entitlement spending under the Affordable Care Act even though our Nation is in the middle of a debt crisis and Social Security and Medicare are on the brink of bankruptcy.”
“It is insane to rush ahead with trillions in new entitlement spending in the middle of a debt crisis, but that is exactly what Democrats are insisting that we do,” noted a frustrated Crawford in a statement on Friday. “If the other party is absolutely bent on speeding ahead with $1.3 trillion in new entitlement spending in the middle of a debt crisis while Social Security and Medicare are on the brink of bankruptcy, then they should be forced to take that vote.”
Crawford’s CR would fund government at sequestration levels for 30 days after an up-or-down vote in both chambers on the resolution affirming the above statement. At the end of 30 days, Rep. Crawford says he intends to force another vote on the same resolution to fund the government for an additional 30 days.
“It is time we cut away the clutter and debate what I feel is the insanity of this situation,” said Crawford. “If we force several votes on this resolution and debate it thoroughly, then I believe the overwhelming majority of Americans will understand and revolt against those who demand that America speed ahead with a $1.3 trillion new entitlement program when our nation is mired in a debt crisis and Social Security and Medicare are rapidly approaching bankruptcy.”
Crawford appeared at a press conference on Friday discussing the resolution with fellow House colleagues, including Arkansas Rep. Tom Cotton (R) and Rep. Tim Griffin (R). The conference ended abruptly when a protester showed up and called him a “demon” and said he is “worse than the guy that did the shooting at the Navy Yard” for opposing Obamacare.