After 10 votes to increase debt ceiling, Rehberg claims he never did
In fact, Congressman voted twice just last year to increase debt ceiling
BILLINGS, Mont. – Congressman Dennis Rehberg this week got caught using his own set of facts again, falsely telling a Montana radio station that he “didn’t vote to increase the debt ceiling.”
In fact, Rehberg voted ten times to increase the debt ceiling during his 12 years in Congress.
Rehberg voted twice last summer to increase the debt ceiling. One of those votes was included in his support for the controversial “Cut Cap and Balance” proposal. That legislation raised the debt ceiling, cut services for seniors and children, and forced cuts to Medicare while protecting tax loopholes for millionaires.
On KUFM radio Thursday, news host Edward O’Brien asked Rehberg about his Republican Senate primary challenger, Dennis Teske.
Rehberg denied his votes, claiming, “I didn’t vote to increase the debt ceiling.” [KUFM Radio, 5/24/2011]
“Congressman Rehberg’s irresponsible record of voting to raise the debt ceiling —while protecting tax breaks for millionaires, forcing cuts to Medicare and slashing services for kids and seniors — hurts Montanans,” said Aaron Murphy, spokesman for Jon Tester. “Congressman Rehberg may not like his own votes, but he is not entitled to his own set of facts.”
Teske previously criticized Rehberg’s record of spending, noting that Rehberg supported and oversaw “huge increases in government spending.”
Below is a summary of Rehberg’s 10 votes to increase the debt ceiling.
REP. DENNIS REHBERG VOTED TO INCREASE THE DEBT LIMIT 10 TIMES
10. Rehberg Voted to Increase Debt Limit by $2.5 Trillion in Short-Term Partisan Plan. [S. 627, House Roll Call Vote #677, 7/29/2011]
9. Rehberg Voted to Increase Debt Limit With Restrictions That Would Force Deep Cuts in Medicare and Social Security. [HR 2560, House Roll Call Vote #606, 7/19/2011]
8. Rehberg Voted for Budget That Increased Debt Limit to $9.6 Trillion. [HCR376, Vote #158, 5/18/06]
7. Rehberg Voted Against Avoiding Debt Limit Hike. [HR 4297, Vote 67, 3/16/06; CQ, 3/16/06]
6. Rehberg Voted To Deem & Pass Debt Limit Increase Of $781 Billion [CRS, The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases, 1/10; HCR95, Vote #149, 214-211, 4/28/05]
5. Rehberg Voted To Increase The National Debt Limit By $700 Billion [HRS 683, Vote 280, 6/22/04; CQ Today, 6/23/04; AP, 6/22/04]
4. Rehberg Voted for Budget That Increased Debt Limit By $690 Billion [SCR 95, Vote #198, 5/19/04]
3. Rehberg Voted To Increase The National Debt Limit By $800 Billion [S 2986, Vote 536, 11/18/04; Washington Post, 11/19/04]
2. 2003: Rehberg Voted To Deem & Pass $984 Billion Increase In Debt Limit. [CRS, The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases, 1/10; HCR95, Vote #141, 216-211, 4/11/03]
1. 2002: Rehberg Was Deciding Vote to Increase Debt Limit By $450 Billion After Spending Government From Surplus Into Deficits. On June 27, 2002, Rehberg voted in favor of S 2578, legislation increasing the public debt limit by approximately $450 billion. The House passed the legislation 215-214. It was the first time the U.S. Congress voted to increase the public debt limit after spending a budget surplus into deficits. [Congressional Research Service; S 2578, Vote 279, 06/27/02]
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