Voters in central Ohio are being shown illusions by Republicans and their so called independence from the President. Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15) is trying to distance herself from her party's leader, President George W. Bush. However, the good people of central Ohio, know that Pryce has been almost giddy about her support of this administration and the Republican leadership. The voters are not stupid. We do not have amnesia. Pryce and her Republican cohorts have ripped us off and brought corruption to a new level.
Here are some examples of Pryce's backing of the Bush policies, special interest groups, and the Republican agenda (LINK):
Pryce Voted for Final $40 Billion Budget Cut Bill. In 2006, Pryce voted for the conference agreement to cut mandatory spending programs by $39.7 billion over the next five years. Due to the billions of dollars in tax cuts passed separately, the budget reconciliation package would increase the deficit. The measure cut nearly $13 billion from federal student loan programs, $7 billion from Medicaid that included increased cost-sharing and premiums for the poor, $1.5 billion from child support enforcement and $2.7 billion from initiatives that help the nation's farmers. The bill also repealed a program - known as the Byrd amendment - that helped local employers injured by unfair trade. The measure did not touch a $5 billion HMO slush fund established by the 2003 Medicare bill, and after intense lobbying from the health insurance industry, the budget saves HMOs $22 billion dollars. [H. Res 653, Vote #4, 2/1/06]
Pryce Took Over $37,000 From HMOs. In her campaigns for Congress, Deborah Pryce has raised $37,550 from HMO interests according to the Center for Responsive Politics. [Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org]
Pryce Voted for Sham Republican Drug Plan, Giving Billions to Drug Makers. In 2003, Pryce voted for the Republican Medicare bill. According to a study by Alan Sanger of the Boston University School of Health this legislation would result in $139 billion in new profits for drug makers. The bill "restricts importing less expensive drugs from Canada and other countries, prohibits beneficiaries from buying supplemental insurance to meet the cost of drugs not covered by Medicare, prevents the government from negotiating drug prices with manufacturers and reduces coverage for some poor people whose drug costs are now paid by Medicaid." The Pryce Medicare bill will also lead to annual increases in premiums and deductibles and a growing gap in coverage for prescription drugs. [HR 1, CQ Vote #669, 11/22/03, Alan Sanger, Boston University School of Public Health, 10/31/03; New York Times, 12/9/03 & 3/20/04; Associated Press, 11/26/03] Pryce Took Over $145,000 From Big Drug Companies. In her campaigns for Congress, Deborah Pryce has raised $145,920 from the pharmaceutical industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org]
Pryce Voted for Final Energy Bill that Gave Billions to Oil, Gas and Nuclear Industries. In 2005, Pryce voted for the energy conference report that exempts oil and gas industries from some clean-water laws, streamlines permits for oil wells and power lines on public lands, and helps the hydropower industry appeal environmental restrictions. One obscure provision would repeal a Depression-era law that has prevented consolidation of public utilities, potentially transforming the nation's electricity markets. It also includes an estimated $85 billion worth of subsidies and tax breaks for most forms of energy -- including oil and gas, "clean coal," ethanol, electricity, and solar and wind power. The bill included $2 billion for "risk insurance" in case new nuclear plants run into construction and licensing delays. And nuclear utilities will be eligible for taxpayer-backed loan guarantees of as much as 80 percent the cost of their plants. The bill passed, 275-156. [HR 6, Vote #445, 7/28/2005; Washington Post, 7/30/05]
Pryce Took Over $153,000 From Big Energy, Including Almost $65,000 from Oil and Gas Companies. In her campaigns for Congress, Deborah Pryce has raised $153,170 from energy company PACs and employees, including $64,917 from oil and gas company PACs and employees. [Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org]