Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is no stranger to fights with party leadership. And he’s not holding back in his criticism of the so-called “Plan B” that’s being developed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
“It seems to be a cover-up,” DeMint said this afternoon in an exclusive interview with Heritage. “It’s like leaving the door to the federal vault open and looking the other way and saying we had nothing to do with the robbery.”
He blamed President Obama for politicizing the debt-limit debate rather than seeking a consensus.
“I’m convinced the president has not been negotiating in good faith. He’s got a bad economy. His policies have made it worse. And he’s hoping this debt-limit debate will allow him to blame Republicans.”
DeMint, a strong advocate for the Cut, Cap and Balance plan, said the McConnell-Reid proposal falls short in making the structural reforms necessary to slow Washington’s reckless spending.
“If we don’t have any permanent structural reform — and that’s what the Balanced Budget Amendment would do — we’re going to keep spending until we bankrupt the country,” DeMint said.
He’s rallying other senators to his cause while also recognizing that the fate of any plan rests with the Republican-controlled House. DeMint said he ultimately wants to hold Washington accountable for raising the debt limit, and any plan that falls short is insufficient.
After our interview, DeMint spoke at The Bloggers Briefing about his new book, “The Great American Awakening: Two Years That Changed America, Washington, and Me.”
The interview runs about 4 minutes. Hosted by Rob Bluey and produced by Brandon Stewart, with help from Hannah Sternberg.
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Anything that has Harry Reid involved is not going to be good for Americans.
Anything that increases the debt limit is a cover-up for bad fiscal policy since 9/11.
Great interview Rob – I volunteered in DeMint's campaign '98 – hope DC is doing well for you.
RW
Please don't be twitterpated by Obama like it seems some do? You're stronger than that! This is America and you and I and "we" are Americans!!
And thank you, Mr. Demint. I love to hear "Constitution." I'd love it even more if it was respectfully governed accordingly! I agree with cut, cap and balance. I don't agree to any increases, especially to the debt LIMIT!!
I agree that it is a coverup of some kind. There are things right now that could be done, like cut welfare by 50 percent, cut funding of the EPA by 50 percent, cut out the federal school lunch program, make all government officials pay for some of their healthcare(like that's going to happen), make them also pay for their own retirement plans, cut the federal gasoline tax by 20 percent, raise taxes on foreign imports by a meek 2 percent. Also, keep former President Bush's tax cuts in place for at least 2 more years. This is a start.
And retire Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac… black holes, both.
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Where are the Representives we voted for in Nov
These rino`s like McConnell have to be moved out of the way to progress. Nothing less than The United States of America is at stake. What is the problem ? Your`re either for or against. It`s that simple. Stand up
for Her or get out of the way !!!!!!
That's my Senator. Proudly voted for him twice and support his Conservative PAC. You should too so we can push aside the Rino's like McConnell. It looks more and more like 2012 is our last chance.