Politics

Candid Coburn: Debt Deal Won’t Reduce Spending in FY 2012!

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) says that Republicans should have nothing to smile about in regards to the debt-limit bill passed by Congress yesterday, an act that he says does not actually cut spending for fiscal year 2012. CNSNews.com cornered Sen. Coburn prior to the Senate vote on the Budget Control Act of 2011 Tuesday night:

In an op-ed in the Washington Post yesterday, Sen. Coburn explained his frustration with the bill and how it has been presented by politicians and the media:

“In spite of what politicians on both sides are saying, this agreement does not cut any spending over 10 years. In fact, it increases discretionary spending by $830 billion.

I voted against this agreement because it does nothing to address the real drivers of our debt. It eliminates no program, consolidates no duplicative programs, cuts no tax earmarks and reforms no entitlement program. The specter of default or a credit downgrade will still hang over our economy after this deal becomes law.”

CNSNews reports that according to the Congressional Budget Office, almost all the cuts would be made in 2014 or beyond. Discretionary spending would be cut $21 billion in 2012 and $42 billion in 2013.

Other conservative lawmakers have dittoed Sen. Coburn‘s skepticism of the immediate spending reduction coming from Tuesday’s bill, and likewise voted against it.

“The bill increases the nation‘s debt burden while placing the responsibility of dealing with Washington’s addiction to debt and deficit spending on yet another commission, and on future Congresses and future Presidents,” said Rep. Steve King of Iowa.

“President Obama says he wants a balanced approach,” said Rep. Jim Inhofe of Oklahaoma. “What we need is a balanced budget.”

Comments (84)

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  • Steel Awesome
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:32pm

    I‘m sure we’re going to hear all sorts of truths from the MSM now that the dastardly deed is done.

    Report Post » Steel Awesome  
    • ThatsRight
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 5:22pm

      He speaks the truth. This is extend and pretend for these poloticians. If we do not remove 75% of our senate in 2012 we are absofriggenlutely doomed.

      Report Post »  
    • NJD
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 5:43pm

      At least he voted with what he has said and believed. John Kyl voted for the bill then said he didn’t like it and it will greatly affect our military. They said it will not have tax increases but it does. It is time politicians have a shelf life no more life long shafting America, they are no better than the people they are elected to serve and that is what they are supposed to be, a servant for the people.

      Report Post » NJD  
    • turkey13
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 6:18pm

      At least thee president can now run for re-election like the Republicans on an even fais basis!

      Report Post »  
  • stockpicker
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:31pm

    I knew the jig was up this past weekend when Lindsey Graham was all over the tv. What a RINO.

    Report Post »  
    • Whostolemypig
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 5:36pm

      Rino? No even. This guy is in the total idiot party, he just caucuses with the republicans.

      Report Post »  
    • mharry860
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 9:42pm

      Yeah, we need a conservative to challenge him and half of the other fake R’s in the Senate.

      Report Post » mharry860  
  • PITMASTER
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:31pm

    Senator Coburn is right on the mark. This legislation, written by lawyers for lawyers is another Washington shell game played on some card table with the future of our country on the line. So, Omaba gets his debt limit raised right now while we have to wait 10 years to see our end of the “compromise” fulfilled. We should’ve started with 9 trillion in cuts and watched the dems hit the floor with a Grand Maul seizure. Hell, that would’ve been worth the price of admission. Dick Durbin would rather swallow his own tongue that to cut a dime in entitlement spending.

    Report Post » PITMASTER  
    • Mary M. Tebbe
      Posted on August 4, 2011 at 4:56pm

      pitmaster: I’ve said on this website for a LONG time that the Republicans should put Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) on their ticket. This is the man WE NEED to run against Obama in 2012. Of course, we would only do that if we were looking for THE BEST candidate for President on the Republican ticket. Then we’d get the cuts we need, and get this Country back on track. None of the Republican candidates running for President right now even come close to Senator Coburn; NONE. I live a long way from Oklahoma, but I know a good man when I see one, and this man could cut waste, fraud, and abuse, and run this Country like a real President. He has an impeccable voting record. And it would be nice to have a First Lady that was once a Miss America, for a change!

      Report Post » Mary M. Tebbe  
  • Locked
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:30pm

    The title sounds shocked. I’m surprised at that. Perhaps it‘s because I’m an accountant, but it seems the writer has no idea how fiscal years or budgets work. Disappointing? Yes… but this isn’t a political process, it’s a financial one now. I‘m amazed that the people supposedly so worried about our country’s financial woes don’t understand budgeting.

    Report Post »  
    • cmabillm12
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 5:56pm

      I am not an accountant, however, I have had to budget my household and personal spending. I know that if I borrow money, I have to pay it back. The banks will not permit me to overextend my resources.. If I do, and fail to meet payments, which are Interest + princpal, they will take my property. Yoy can make interest only payments for so long, befor the gator gets you in the shorts.

      For too many years, the gov., has been making interest only payments, with no attempt to pay down the principal, and or spending, that is why we are were we are at today. Odumbo, has stated that we need Proffessional Legislators to manage the gov. So called Professional Legislators are the reason that this nation is in the dump. They listen to themselves and not to the people that elected them to do. Term limits are called for.

      Report Post »  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:27pm

    The Republicans/Democrats are looking for ways to cushion the fall, so that total chaos doesn’t break out. This whole debt issue is irrelavent. Just keep in mind that there will be a vacuum and the constitution must fill it once again. Otherwise, I‘ll see y’all in Costa Rica :)

    Report Post »  
    • worthless
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 5:35pm

      @ Individual:

      Let’s not go to the Caribbean. Instead, let’s go to the Pacific islands and take them over. Much more secluded and less inhabited. I hope you like to eat fish….

      Report Post » worthless  
  • WhatsYerProblem
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:22pm

    http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/14/news/economy/obama_budget/index.htm I found this article from February, after Obama announced his budget for 2011. Here is a quote from the conservative news network CNN: “But even as it trims deficits, the president’s budget would add $7.2 trillion to the debt held by the public between 2012 and 2021.” How can anyone take a word this man says as serious? It is obvious he cares NOTHING about the debt. His only goal in these talks was to punt the issue until after the 2012 election.

    Report Post » WhatsYerProblem  
  • MartinLutherBling
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:21pm

    Yeah! Where be my weffare??

    Report Post »  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:18pm

    We’re far past the Point of No Return. Time to find a new place to go. America is Over…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
  • stumblemouth
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:15pm

    These big, bad (miniscule) “cuts” are only on proposed spending, not actual spending. Sen. Rand Paul has a plan to balance the budget in five years, but who listens to fiscally sane people? The powergrubbing fools in both parties would be eventually adding $45 trillion to the debt with no end in sight. I wonder if I should learn Mandarin Chinese, so that I can easier communicate with my future overlords.

    Report Post » stumblemouth  
    • HKS
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:28pm

      That could be a good idea as you know if the democrats agreed to it, there is no substance to it, like my way or the highway.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • BrokenHearted
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:14pm

    I just called my local college and asked them if they offered classes in FEDEMATH, I was hoping to be able to learn how to do calculations the same way the government does, that way, I can spend more and make less and then just borrow more to make up for the debt I owe. I’m also trying to find the phone number to the bank or whomever in China that loaned us all those billions of dollars, I want to borrow a few myself.

    Report Post » BrokenHearted  
  • SNAFU-WORLD
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:13pm

    The American government is broken.
    The US Constitution is ignored.
    BHO and company are evil doers seeking redistribution of wealth.
    There is a fourth war front about to break out into the streets of every town / city in America between the classes and races that’s being stoked by Obama and fanned by sycophant media hacks and insane liberal blogosphere.

    Report Post » SNAFU-WORLD  
  • hauschild
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:00pm

    Isn’t it relieving now, knowing that the Marxist-Socialists HAD to pass this bill so that we could find out what’s really in it???

    This country is a putrid shame.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:02pm

      Well, they had to pass something so Obama could go to his birthday party/fund raiser. I mean, he had to cancel 10 others.

      Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:14pm

      At least Thom Coburn is telling the truth. So many people (here on The Blaze even) have been duped by the lies of the media, the Liberals, and the Republican Party, it’s been hard to have any kind of intelligent discussion.

      So, they didn’t cut any spending. They aren’t going to cut spending. They did increase the amount of debt they could rack up.

      Oh, and if you’re a Tea Partier, you’re extreme.

      Thanks.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Susan Harkins
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:20pm

      Simple Fact is, the “debt ceiling” is merely a fantastic concoction by Congress, which really doesn’t mean anything. Its arbitrary and only used for “feel good” politics.

      The idea that there was ever a “debt ceiling deadline”, which would result in the country “blowing up” was purely FANTASY; however, the propaganda left-tard media played it like a Pending Armageddon scenario.

      This whole “Drama For The American People” thing isnt worth the vomit it generated. The real thing we should be focusing on, is how many contries’ rulers that the Elites are replacing with paid-off puppets who will infiltrate the governments and do the Banksters‘ bidding of selling out the countries’ infrastructure and assets, by the adoption of criminally-generated debt obligations on the backs of the countries’ working class.

      The Banksters already have their ‘Christmas List” of Country Assets and are either paying off the ruling parties of countries who are willing to participate in the scheme, or overthrowing others from with, if they refuse.

      Time to get a truckload of ropes — we need a few thousand empty suit hangings.

      Report Post » Susan Harkins  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:30pm

      @Susan Harkins, you should like this quote then:

      “…once a year we should hang someone in government as an example to his fellows.”

      ~Lyn Nofziger

      Report Post » biohazard23  
  • ezeewhiz
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:59pm

    THe only person in Washington I trust or believe and I’m not from Oklahoma!

    Report Post »  
    • vennoye
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:19pm

      Me either, but I trust him more than I trust my own Senators!! At least one of mine is retiring this term!!

      Report Post » vennoye  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:59pm

    No one in DC is capable of telling the truth.

    Every time someone says the words “look” or “listen,” you can guarantee that the words that follow are lies.

    Wouldn‘t it be nice if we didn’t have lifer’s allegedly representing the people?

    Report Post »  
  • LOJ
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:59pm

    Cut, Cap, and Balance was the best bill, and Reid tabled it…I do not believe they are really cutting spending, because they raised the Debt Ceiling again!

    Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:08pm

      Finally, someone’s telling the truth. Thank you Thom Coburn.

      Cut, Cap & Balance was a piece of garbage, too.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:54pm

    Gee…someone else figured out “fuzzy math”.

    Report Post »  
  • EQUALIZER
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:44pm

    HOW 545 Morons Collapsed The U.S.Economy.THE END

    Report Post »  
    • NEAF
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:52pm

      They must get pay by performance, $7.15 hr.

      Report Post » NEAF  
    • Rightsofman
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Yeah we stop the financial suicide Tea Partyers won big on this one. To paraphrase a British General during our War of Independence “Another victory like this will ruin us”.

      Report Post »  
    • Dkoonz
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 7:37pm

      They shouldn’t get paid at all…well that wouldn’t work either, they would all just apply for obami unemployment and tax payers that do work would pay for that…ummm..never mind.

      Report Post » Dkoonz  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:36pm

    What a surprise…
    With the automatic 8% baseline increases and no mention of alibaba care, the EPA, the dept of energy and education, or any of the major entitlement programs…What do you expect?
    And the back loaded cuts will never happen, the gang of twelve will agree on nothing…and if the dictaor is reelected, we’ll be lucky to not add a few more trillion a year in spending.
    They are all bad..with the exception of the small handfull that stood strong.
    Gotta vote ‘em all out…and then try to prosecute some of them.

    Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:54pm

      I’ll say it one more time. The Media is the greatest problem and obstacle facing the United States of America today. Until we can reform or create another Media things are not going to get better. The House Republicans were being annihilated in the Media even by FOX News!! It was so bad that if they had held out for another day or two the likelihood of one of them being tar n feathered was probably greater than 50%!

      Very sad for our country to be in a situation where we are led around by our Media.

      Report Post » techengineer11  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:23pm

    Senator Coburn was a member of both the Simpson-Bowles commission, and the ‘gang of six’. President Obama rejected the recomendations of the commision he appointed, and the ‘gang of six’ sabotaged the Obama-Boehner deal, because the President wanted 400 billion more like the ‘gangs’ plan had. This is why Senator Coburn is untrustworthy!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:34pm

      I can’t figure out what the gang of 6 was thinking either. Why would they come out with that when they did and cut the legs out from under Boehner?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:49pm

      Cause they are progressives.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:53pm

      You really think Coburn is a progressive Swampy? He always seemed like one of the few who gets it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • hauschild
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:03pm

      Coburn’s a RINO. He‘s proven that he has no problem urinating down your back and then telling you it’s raining. He’s one of those “sneaky” types in that you really have to listen closely to what he says and in what context. So, he’s kinda more dangerous than say a Boehner, who wears his heart on his sleeve. We all knew Crybaby was a RINO, but Coburn? He‘s a good ol’ boy from the South. He wouldn’t cross us, would he???

      Report Post »  
    • flagbearer
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:07pm

      John Warner was on the Gang of Six and now wants to be on the Debt Commission. If there is any way to block him, we need to do so. He is nothing more than a sly, weasel, yes man for Obama–in my opinion. I can’t wait for Virginia to vote him out of office. Jim Webb knows he’s doomed, so he‘s announced he won’t be running again. Thanks to the liberals in Northern/Central Virginia, we have to deal with them until the next election. Another note, the Tea Party has been essentially blocked from serving on the Debt Commission, as anyone who voted against the bill can’t serve on the commission. Now, tell me that that wasn’t well-planned.

      Report Post »  
    • WhatsYerProblem
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:11pm

      He gets it, but he suffers from D.C. disease. The symptoms are the feeling that you have to pass SOMETHING, even if it stinks and try to get the bill closer to your ideals than it otherwise would have been. McCain was on with Hannity a while back and Hannity kept asking him why in the world he would support such a crappy bill and McCain kept saying again and again that it was better than default, so he no choice but to vote for it. And the ones who get lambasted are the ones who actually stand up for what they believe and vote according to what their constituents want! Coburn is my senator and I’m glad to have him, but he STILL votes for stuff that doesn’t make sense. He especially likes to vote for appropriations bills that have infrastructure spending in it, which is all fine and dandy, except we HAVE to cut spending everywhere. His reasoning is that if he doesn’t take it some other state will just get it anyway… rambling…

      Report Post » WhatsYerProblem  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:12pm

      I don’t know him well, don’t see how anyone that was a progressive could want more borrowing form enemies that will only further weaken the US. I‘m really pissed they didn’t just take the stupid democrat plan 100%, attach the BBA to it and demand they pass that. After all they could get on the air, contact every blog, spam out of facebook, why not pass the BBA, it hurts nothing, 3/4ths of the states still have to pass it for it to mean anything. How could anyone stand up and argue against letting the states choose if they want it or not. I think a lot of people would come out to vote for the bba, and it makes no since at all to vote for bba and obama on the same ballot.

      Report Post »  
    • hauschild
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:23pm

      Well, the one thing that provides a bit of comfort is the fact the RINO’s really doubled-down with their support of this fiasco.

      Realistically, was anything really going to get done without more support in the Senate IF the Teas got our way and passed stringent reforms? Possibly. At least the way things turned out, the RINO’s are pretty much finished, which means they’ll be replaced by Tea, which means any “controversial” issues in the future we avoid the same result.

      It’s just a shame the even Republicans are too stupid an lazy to do their homework. After what McCain admitted to Hannity, he ought to be thrown outta the Senate on his ear. What a frighteningly misinformed RINO.

      Report Post »  
  • vennoye
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:21pm

    Don’t you just get tired of being lied to????????

    Report Post » vennoye  
  • Son_of_Liberty
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:20pm

    Did anyone actually think der fuhrer Obama would sign anything that cut spending?

    3%

    Report Post » Son_of_Liberty  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

    “What we need is a balanced budget.”
    Why is that such a difficult concept for progressive/liberal/Dems? It’s basic accounting.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:57pm

      “Basic” is far beyond the capacity of a progressive mind to comprehend.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:04pm

      But it is not Progressive Accounting.

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
    • schmite123oh
      Posted on August 3, 2011 at 4:56pm

      they wont cut spending until taxes have been raised, they want to see the gap once they think everyone is paying what they ought to in taxes, then they might consider cutting spending…..I’m afraid thats the truth.

      Report Post »  
  • pap pap
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Coburn is right. If you read Coburn’s “Back in Black” he illustrates the duplication in gov‘t agency’s that will astonish you. What a waste of our money.

    Coburn’s deficit cutting plan was for $9 Trillion. I think that is a good start but jsut a start. We should not have raised the debt ceiling at all. Our credit rating is based upon our being able to pay for the debt we have. Paying for our debts with borrowed money doesn’t do that. ONly spending cuts will do that.

    We need to cut $1 triliion per year for 14.5 years to get our debt where it should be. Zero.

    Report Post »  
  • Marci
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Shocker. The truth makes it way out yet again…

    Report Post » Marci  
  • Cold War Vet
    Posted on August 3, 2011 at 3:14pm

    Oooh. Big surprise there!

    Report Post » Cold War Vet  
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