Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, recently were interviewed on CNN’s “State of the Union”
Congressman Turner recently appeared on CNN’s “State of the Nation.” I’m disappointed that my representative in the US House, on the matter of raising the debt ceiling, took a harsh partisan stance and loyally pushed the party line. Turner, in his actions and attitude, obviously represents the Republican tribe, not the grassroots citizens of OH-10.
Jack Tapper asked him if he thought the House Republicans might consider a temporary extension of the debt limit. Turner replied, “The House has already done its job.” He said the House voted to raise the debt ceiling, but President Biden refuses to negotiate. He said, “The President needs to make some concessions.”
The Republicans are making demands. On CNN, Turner failed to tell that the Republican legislation that extends the debt limit also spells out what the Republicans’ demands. From FactCheck.org., according to summaries of the GOP bill, the legislation:
- Repeals certain renewable and clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act,
- Blocks Biden’s executive actions canceling student loan debt,
- Reclaims some of the unspent COVID-19 funding,
- Rescinds funds designated for the Internal Revenue Service, and,
- Creates new work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries and
- Expands work requirements for those enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Tapper: “Do you think House Republicans would consider a temporary extension so that President Biden and Speaker McCarthy had more time to try to hammer out some sort of a deal?”
Mike Turner: “As Speaker McCarthy said, The House has done its job. We voted to raise the debt limit. The President is doing this unrealistic position where He is saying that spending has nothing to do with debt. Of course you don’t get debt unless you are spending more than you are bringing in. President needs to come to the table and negotiate with the Speaker and come up with a plan that the American people want overwhelmingly, the polls show, the American people want Washington to rein in spending and the President needs to make some concessions.”
Tapper: “Do you agree with your colleague, Congressman Himes, that this is a national security threat not solving this problem?”
Mike Turner: “If the President fails to negotiate with Congress and has continued out-of control spending that threatens our economy, it is a national security threat and he has the ability to sit down and do that and for us to do that and come to a deal and agreement that is what the American people want and that is what I think they are going to require from the President and Congress and he needs to get on with it.”
