Blog Post

To: Congressional Republicans

Fr: Democratic Leader's Press Office

Da: May 6, 2011

Re: "Confusion?" Not When It Comes to Your Vote to End Medicare As We Know It

"On the table." "Off the table." "Absolutely not." No "Grand Slam." "Singles." "Doubles."

As families, workers, and small businesses across the country continue to face tough economic times, record gas prices – averaging nearly $4.00 per gallon – are causing additional hardship. It's especially unfair that those same American families, workers, and small businesses are also footing the bill for tens of billions in subsidies for oil companies who made over $900 billion in profits over the last decade – with another $36 billion in profits just this quarter:

Congressional Republicans aren't backing off their efforts to end Medicare as we know it, but they're spinning so hard they must be getting dizzy. The fact remains, they voted for their budget and no amount of spinning can change that.

So what's really going on?

For two weeks, the American people have been telling the GOP they need relief at the gas pump and they aren't buying the Republican budget plan that ends Medicare as we know it to give tax cuts to Big Oil.

Today, House GOP Majority Leader Eric Cantor reiterated the GOP's decision to push a ‘Drill Only' energy policy that will have no impact on prices at the pump rather than voting on a bill to end the Exxon earmark. From Roll Call, "Republicans Plan Energy Policy Push":

Over the past two weeks, Republicans have been hearing their constituents speak out loud and clear against the Republican plan to end Medicare as we know it in order to reward Big Oil with tax breaks. These headlines from local and national media tell the story:

• ABC News – Republican Lawmakers Face Angry, Confused Constituents on Medicare, Budget Cuts

To: Congressional Republicans

Fr: Democratic Leader's Press Office

Da: April 27, 2011

Re: Americans Just Don't Support Tax Breaks for Big Oil So You Can End Medicare

For the past ten days, you have been in your districts trying to sell the GOP budget that ends Medicare as we know it in order to give more tax breaks to Big Oil. Your constituents aren't buying it.

As Americans struggle with the price at the pump, oil companies are enjoying multi-billion dollar profits. According to the Wall Street Journal, the spike in oil prices "is expected to lift earnings by about 50% at Exxon Mobil Corp., and about 33% each at Chevron Corp.