Senators Cruz and Rubio mount new attack on Obamacare; opposing new continuing resolution [VIDEO]

Today, Texas Senator Ted Cruz introduced legislation, co-sponsored by Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Paul Isakson (R-GA), and Dean Heller (R-NV), to fully defund Obamacare. The bill is appropriately named the "Defund Obamacare Act of 2013."

Dennis Ross knows how to solve Congress' spending problem

The past month has gone by in a blur, traveling to Washington, D.C. for CPAC and then getting everything lined up for my new gig in Massachusetts, so I'm still catching up on the "really want to write a blog post about this but haven't yet" list.

When I was in D.C. last month, Representative Dennis Ross (FL-12) sat down with me for a short interview. We discussed his experiences as a freshman Congressman, his frustrations with how Congress deals with spending, and also his bill for "Zero-Based Budgeting" (more on that below):

The only thing better than an op-ed by Marco Rubio...

...is an op-ed by Marco Rubio, and also Jim DeMint, Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ron Johnson.

The five senators cooperated to write an op-ed published in POLITICO earlier today, advocating for a balanced budget:

FIFTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS?!

Ugh...our national debt hit fifteen trillion dollars today.

$15,000,000,000,000.00!

(and the numbers continue to spin)

The Cut, Cap, Balance vote and what it says about the Florida Senate race

Today the Senate voted to table the "Cut Cap Balance" Act, which the GOP-led House had approved on Tuesday.

"Voting to table" is Congress-speak for "we're too chicken to deal with this, so we're voting to sweep it under the rug." What exactly scares the Senate so badly about this bill that they don't even want to debate it?

I was proud to watch my Senator, Marco Rubio, speak eloquently in favor of the Cut, Cap, Balance Act, and then vote against tabling the bill. Earlier this evening, Rubio released a video statement about his disappointment in the vote, stating:

The President hasn't offered a plan...the Senate Democrats haven't offered a plan...in fact, the only plan out there that does anything about it, that raises the debt limit but puts in place a plan to deal with the debt was Cut, Cap, and Balance, and it passed in the House, and it came over to the Senate, and the Senate Democrats wouldn't even let us vote on it...

Florida's other Senator, Bill Nelson (aka Mr. Space Mosquito) had campaigned on a balanced budget platform but ducked the chance to actually vote on balanced budget bill today. Nelson has been playing this "liberal wolf in moderate's sheep clothing" game far too long. Once again, he had the chance to show some backbone but instead he just meekly followed the Obama-Reid agenda.

Now, let's look at the Florida Senate race. These candidates want the chance to vote on our national debt issues, so what do they have to say about Cut, Cap, and Balance? It's quite an interesting contrast.

My message for House Republicans

Dear House Republicans,

Today you are voting on the Cut, Cap, Balance Act (H.R. 2560).

The Democrats are going to say you want to hurt poor people and senior citizens. The media are going to call you extremists. The Washington insiders are going to tell you this is all unnecessary.

They are all wrong.

It does matter. It is necessary.

If the Cut, Cap, Balance Act is extreme, it's only so in the sense that things have gotten so out of control (national debt at $14.5 trillion and counting...) that only an extreme solution has any hope of making a difference.

As far as the Democrats' claim that you want to hurt poor people, do they really think that collapsing our economic system will help?

Because that's exactly what we are risking - the entire collapse of our economic system. What else could be the result if the United States loses our bond rating? I can't improve my credit score just by spending money on a new credit card, and our country can't protect its bond rating by simply raising the debt ceiling to new absurd levels.

Morning Coffee Reading for June 29, 2011

Here's your morning coffee reading for today:

• The fight over redistricting in Florida is starting to heat up. Conservative think-tank James Madison Institute has published a must-read article on the status of the redistricting process and the hypocrisy from those on the Left:

James Madison Institute | Redistricting Charade

• Conservative blogger Robert Stacy McCain has joined Team Hasner, writing on his blog The Other McCain that "[w]ith several contenders for the Republican nomination, it’s important to unite conservatives behind one candidate."

The Other McCain | Florida: Adam Hasner for Senate

• Texas Governor (and soon-to-be Presidential candidate?) Rick Perry does an excellent job showing his personality and Texas pride on his official Twitter account, @GovernorPerry. Last week, he posted this photo with the comment, "Chocolate chip...Texas style":

I need to get a Florida-shaped cookie cutter!

• It's now been nearly 800 days without a budget from the Senate Democrats, and of course Twitter has risen to the challenge of mocking them for it. Someone created an account called @SenateDemBudget, and it's full of epic sarcastic goodness. Here are some of my favorite tweets they've written:

I have not been seen for 790 days. Please help locate me.Tue Jun 28 04:09:31 via Twitter for iPhoneSenate Dems Budget
SenateDemBudget

Hey @SenatorReid, I have no plans today. Want to hang out? #p2 #tcotTue Jun 28 06:47:54 via Twitter for iPhoneSenate Dems Budget
SenateDemBudget

• Excellent article by RedState's Erick Erickson regarding the Cut Cap Balance pledge:

RedState | Pledge Fatigue, My Butt

•  Ross Douthat has written a heartbreaking article about the impact of sex-selective abortion around the world, noting that the increased access to abortion, especially in third-world countries, has led to significant gender imbalances. Many journalists have noted the "missing" females, but as Douthat points out, "The tragedy of the world’s 160 million missing girls isn’t that they’re 'missing.' The tragedy is that they’re dead."

New York Times | Ross Douthat | 160 Million and Counting

• Chris Wallace made headlines when he asked Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, "Are you a flake?" Here's a video that points out that the question might be better directed to Barack Obama (hat tip: @stackiii):

YouTube | thor0001 | Obama Flake

Morning Coffee Reading for May 11, 2011

Here's your morning coffee reading (and a video) for today:

Some great tips for getting more clicks and "Likes" on your Facebook page: (hat tip: Bettina Inclan)

Mashable | 10 Proven Strategies for Greater Likability on Facebook 

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) lays down the law for GOP candidate, stating unequivocally that he will not support any presidential hopeful who isn't tough on budget issues:

"I couldn't support a presidential candidate who did not say we have to have a balanced budget amendment pass before we support [raising the debt ceiling]," DeMint said. "I think we should go to the mat with Obama. I don't think there should be any compromise on that, and if Obama wants to be closing part of the government next fall because he's unwilling to balance the budget, I think we can win that argument."

Read more: Washington Examiner | DeMint demand: GOP hopefuls must hold line on budget

(P.S. You know who else supports a balanced budget amendment? Adam Hasner, that's who. Oh. Yeah.)

Here's another Washington Examiner article about hearings held by Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) regarding the Obama Administration's lack of transparency:

Washington Examiner | Obama's 'open' government hides behind closed doors

Also, if you're not already following Congressman Issa on Twitter (@DarrellIssa), you really should. Besides posting lots of great updates about his work as "chief watchdog" for the House GOP, his profile picture (or "avi," in standard Twitter parlance) is just great:

Darrell Issa is watching you.

Homefront Hugs USA is a unique charity that supports our military. They are collecting Legos, which will be used both as a way for our troops in Afghanistan to bond with local children, and also to assist with rehabilitation for injured veterans. The little plastic blocks are excellent practice for fine motor skills and reasoning abilities that can be affected by head or other nerve injuries. Here's a blog post about the charity and all the info you need to participate:

Semper Fi Momma | Homefront Lego Hugs for Our Troops and Some Very Special Kids

Looks like Donald Trump's flirtation with running for President may be coming to an end. Recent polls show his support taking a nose dive. Personally, my opinion is that the man can't even manage his hair competently, so I definitely don't want him having access to our nuclear codes!

Yid With Lid Blog | Trump's Done: Can We Concentrate on REAL Candidates Now?

A complete disaster. Also, his hair is a mess.

Our wonderful Senator Marco Rubio is teaming up with Senators Pat Toomey, Jim DeMint, Mike Lee and others to offer a proposal that would balance the federal budget within ten years. Jennifer "Cubachi" has an excellent write-up about the proposal, including a video of Rubio at a press conference at her blog, here:

Cubachi | Toomey offers proposal to balance the budget, with support from Rubio, DeMint, others

Sayfie Review editor Justin Sayfie interviewed Governor Rick Scott on a variety of topics, including the date of Florida's presidential primary, the GOP presidential candidates, his thoughts on this year's legislative session, Donald Trump (yes, really), and his decision making process regarding appointments:


YouTube | sayfiereview | Gov. Scott on presidential primary, GOP candidates, appointments

Adam Hasner's thoughts on last night's budget deal

Potential Senate candidate Adam Hasner sent out this email last night after Congress avoided a government shutdown with a last-minute deal (also posted on his Facebook page):

Dear Friend,

Like many Floridians, I just watched a short time ago as Speaker John Boehner and President Barack Obama announced that the framework of an agreement had been reached to avoid a government shut down.

Republicans in Washington deserve credit for reversing the culture of borrowing and spending in Washington, and forcing a debate which has led to the first spending cuts in recent memory.
 
But make no mistake; these cuts are nowhere near what's needed to save our country.

Republicans and Democrats have agreed to cut around $38 billion, which when added to cuts made earlier this year amount to about 2% of our $1.5 trillion budget. Our country will borrow more money than was cut today in just the next nine days. Our government will continue to waste money on the pet projects of the left, like Planned Parenthood and National Public Radio. We'll also continue to fund costly job-killing programs like Obamacare and over-reaching EPA mandates.
 
And the real, tough, leadership decisions needed to cut spending, balance the budget, and attack the debt, have been kicked down the road yet again.

This is no time for a victory lap by either party.
 
The fact of the matter is that there is more work to be done. Democrats have shown that they do not take our financial crisis seriously. President Obama has proven that he has no interest in showing leadership on the biggest issues facing our country.  And too many Republicans still don't understand that if we can't stand on principle to make the small cuts, we'll never build the credibility needed to convince Americans of the real spending cuts that are desperately needed. The only thing outpacing the growth of our fiscal deficit is the leadership deficit in Washington.
 
The outcome of this week's debate, and the preview it has given us of the coming debate over the debt limit and next year's budget, makes it clear that our current Congress does not have what it takes to confront our country's challenges. So long as Democrats still control the Senate, true fiscal reforms will never be possible.

That's what makes this election perhaps the most important of our generation.
 
We face a critical debate over the future of our country. Either we'll make our voices heard, and send limited government reinforcements to Washington who will do what needs to be done in order to save our country, or we'll see America's light of exceptionalism flicker and fade forever.

Those are the stakes.

We have a lot of work ahead.


All my best,

Adam

Copyright (C) 2011 Adam Hasner US Senate Exploratory Committee All rights reserved.

[Cross-posted at The Minority Report]

Marco Rubio's Thoughts on a Balanced Budget Amendment

Marco Rubio published the following op-ed on Townhall.com today (cross-posted on his Facebook page):

Townhall | Marco Rubio | "Washington Needs a Balanced Budget Amendment"

In my two short months in office, it has become clear to me that the spending problem in Washington is far worse than many of us feared. For years, politicians have blindly poured more and more borrowed money into ineffective government programs, leaving us with trillion dollar deficits and a crippling debt burden that threatens prosperity and economic growth.

In the Florida House of Representatives, where a balanced budget is a requirement, we had to make the tough choices to cut spending where necessary because it was required by state law. By no means was this an easy process, but it was our duty as elected officials to be accountable to our constituents and to future generations of Floridians. In Washington, a balanced budget amendment is not just a fiscally-responsible proposal, it’s a necessary step to curb politicians’ decades-long penchant for overspending.

Several senators have proposed balanced budget amendments that ensure Congress will not spend a penny more than we take in, while setting a high hurdle for future tax hikes. I am a co-sponsor of two balanced budget amendments, since it is clear that these measures would go a long way to reversing the spending gusher we’ve seen from Washington in recent years.

During my Senate campaign, while surrounded by the employees of Jacksonville’s Meridian Technologies, I proposed 12 simple ways to cut spending in Washington. That company, founded 13 years ago, has grown into a 200-employee, high-tech business, and the ideas I proposed would help ensure that similar companies have the opportunity to start or expand just like Meridian did.

To be clear, our unsustainable debt and deficits are threatening companies like Meridian and impeding job creation. In addition to proposing a balanced budget amendment, I recommended canceling unspent “stimulus” funds, banning all earmarks and returning discretionary spending to 2008 levels.

Fortunately, some of my ideas have found their way to the Senate chamber. The first bill I co-sponsored in the Senate was to repeal ObamaCare, the costly overhaul of our nation’s health care system that destroys jobs and impedes our economic recovery. Democratic leaders in the Senate have expressed their willingness to ban earmarks for two years after the Senate Republican conference adopted a moratorium. I have also co-sponsored the REINS Act, a common-sense measure that would increase accountability and transparency in our outdated and burdensome regulatory process. These bills, along with a balanced budget amendment, would help get our country back on a sustainable path and provide certainty to job creators.

While Republicans are proposing a variety of ideas to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending, unfortunately, President Obama’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year proposes to spend $46 trillion, and even in its best year, the deficit would remain above $600 billion. Worst of all, the President’s budget completely avoids addressing the biggest drivers of our long-term debt – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Rather than tackle these tough, serious issues, President Obama is proposing a litany of tax hikes on small businesses and entrepreneurs, to the tune of more than $1.6 trillion. These tax increases destroy jobs, make us less competitive internationally and hurt our efforts to grow the economy and get our fiscal house in order.

A balanced budget amendment would be a necessary step in reversing Washington’s tax-borrow-spend mantra. It would force Congress to balance its budget each year – not allow it to pass our problems on to the next generation any longer.

Rubio is correct when he points out that Florida's balanced budget rules have served as a valuable restraint on our Legislature. A significant source of the problem in Washington is the federal government's ability to print more money and essentially write itself a blank check. Let's be direct: elected officials - regardless of party - often spend taxpayers' money irresponsibly. Any sort of defined limitation on their spending power forces legislatures to set priorities and make decisions because they cannot buy everything they want. Mandating balanced budgets is one of the most simple and direct restraints on wasteful spending.

What Congress does with your money

Florida has avoided the budgetary catastrophes currently facing California and other states thanks in large part to our balanced budget requirement. The Legislature can only spend whatever money the state takes in as revenue, and that's it. This is part of the reason that I was so opposed to the stimulus funds that were given to the states: it allowed - and in many cases actively encouraged - irresponsible spending practices to continue. Oh, and don't forget the increased damage that such nationwide spending added to our national debt (currently over $14 @#$%! trillion and counting...sigh...).

We're broke. Broke, broke, B-R-O-K-E, broke.

Our country has been flirting with economic suicide for far too long. Elementary schoolchildren can tell that the math doesn't make sense. There is no economic system on earth, during the entire course of human history, that has been able to sustain spending more than it produces. Congress' spending spree must end, and soon, if the American dream is to endure.

With the Democrats still in the majority in the Senate and Obama (and his veto pen) in the White House, I highly doubt that balanced budget rules can be passed at this point, but it's a worthwhile issue to discuss and I applaud Senator Rubio for his commitment to fiscal responsibility.

One reason I was such an enthusiastic supporter of Rubio's Senate campaign was his record as Speaker of the Florida House. Marco Rubio has literally walked the fiscal conservative walk. His 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future program (based on a book of ideas collected from citizens around the state) was a great success, with over half of the list becoming law.  Rubio has years of experience making tough budgetary decisions, under the constraint of that wonderful balanced-budget rule. I'm thrilled to see him continue this work in the U.S. Senate.

One final note: just to assault a deceased equine one more time, can I just say again how very, very, very glad I am that we sent Rubio to the Senate instead of the Oompa-Loompa?

My Senator is cooler than your Senator.

(Cross posted at The Minority Report)