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GOP is good at one thing - legislative obstruction
To the editor:
This letter is in support of Joan Loewen's well written and well researched letter to the editor of March 28, 2022 about the difference between "talking points" and "facts."
Here are "facts" about the creation and implementation of Social Security and Medicare and the history of Republicans stonewalling" the two most successful government programs in the history of the United States. I am also including other "stonewalling" activities of Republicans as well!
1935: Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of Social Security.
1939: 75% of Republicans in the Senate tried to kill legislation providing Social Security benefits to dependents and survivors as well as retired workers.
1950: 79% of House and 89% of Senate Republicans vote against disability insurance.
1956: 86% of Republicans oppose disability insurance; program approved nonetheless.
1964: Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and future president Ronald Reagan both suggest that Social Security be voluntary.
1965: 93% of Republicans in House and 62% in the Senate vote to kill Medicare.
1965: Democrats support Voting Rights Act. Republicans opposed it.
1965: Democrats support legislation to initiate the Medicare Program. Republicans opposed.
1977: 58% of Senate votes against amendment to provide semiannual increases.
1977: 88% of Republicans and 63% in Senate vote against an increase in Social Security tax needed to keep the system solvent.
1981: President Reagan proposes $35 billion in Social Security cuts over the next 5 years.
1981: The Reagan administration began a wholesale review of Social Security disability rolls, resulting in over 560,000 eligibility investigations in 1982 removing at least 106,000 families from the rolls.
1981: 99% of Republicans in the house and 98% in the Senate vote for legislation containing $22 billion in Social Security and Medicare cuts.
1981: Reagan administration proposes a three-month delay in 1982 cost-of-living increases.
1981: Reagan administration proposes $200 billion in Social Security cuts between 1982 and 1990.
1982: President Reagan and Senate Republicans propose $40 billion in benefit cuts over three fiscal years.
1985: Reagan administration backs attempts by Republican Senate leadership to eliminate the 1986 Social Security COLA
2005: A Labor-led effort against privatization saved Social Security for the time being.
2006: President George W. Bush includes privatization of Social Security in his 2007 budget.
2008: Democrats supported windfall taxes on oil companies. Republicans opposed it.
2009/2010: 300 House of Representatives bills blocked by Senate Republicans.
"I love gridlock because it means we're not passing things" -- Republican Senator Tom Coburn
2008/2010: 63 nominees up for confirmation blocked by Republican senators.
2010: Senate Republicans block a measure that will cut taxes and ease credit for small businesses.
2010: Senate Republicans block Campaign Disclosure Act.
2010: Senate Republicans block unemployment benefits legislation.
"Blocking unemployment benefits is fine because it only affects a small amount of people." -- Republican Senator Tom Coburn
2010: Senate Republicans block benefits for homeless veterans.
"The American people want to hear us say no." -- Republican Senator Tom Coburn
2010: Senate Republicans block subpoena power for BP investigation.
2010: Senate Republicans block outsourcing bill that allows companies to keep the tax break they receive when they ship jobs to other countries.
"Replacing a job that is based in other countries with a domestic job does not stimulate economic growth or enhance the competitiveness of American worldwide companies." -- Bruce Josten, Executive Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
2010: Senate Republicans block Mine Safety Bill.
2010: Senate Republicans block Paycheck Fairness Act.
2010: All 42 Republican senators, in a letter to the Senate Majority Leader, "we will block all legislation."
2010: House and Senate Republicans block legislation to award senior citizens $250 who are facing a second consecutive year without a cost-of-living increase.
2010: Senate Republicans block 911 First Responder Healthcare legislation.
2010: Dream Act (a republican idea) blocked by Republican Senators
2010:"To those who come to my office, you're always welcome to come, but you're wasting your time," -- Republican Senator Lindsey Graham
2010: Senate Republicans block legislation to prevent "Child Marriage."
2022: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 opposed by Republicans.
This is just a sampling of important issues that Republicans have either blocked or voted against and laughed about it. Not a pretty picture of someone taking $174,000 from taxpayers (2022).
If you or anyone you know is receiving Social Security and/or Medicare benefits, you can thank a Democrat!
Ken Schucht
Lewistown