Kratovil Kickoff Fact Check

Not-So-Independent Congressman Skews Record During Kickoff Tour

KRATOVIL IS NOT THE INDEPENDENT HE CLAIMS TO BE

Independent? Kratovil’s voting record indicates otherwise. According to The Washington Post vote database, Kratovil has been voting with Nancy Pelosi-led democrats in Congress 85 percent of the time, as of June 28, 2010.

KRATOVIL VOTED FOR THE LARGEST INCREASE IN GOVT. SPENDING IN US HISTORY

On his campaign stops last Saturday, Kratovil said the federal government must tighten its belt in the same manner that local governments and individuals have. However, Kratovil voted for the $819 billion stimulus package that has failed to create a single job for Maryland’s First Congressional District.

According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the cost of the stimulus package could soar even higher, reaching $1 trillion

· According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), combining the spending and revenue effects of H.R. 1 upon enactment of the conference report would increase federal budget deficits by $787 billion. (Congressional Budget Office, “Cost estimate for the conference agreement for H.R. 1, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” Feb. 13, 2009)

· The package would be financed by borrowing, which would result in additional interest costs. CBO estimated these costs would reach $347 billion for the House-passed version of the stimulus package. When these interest costs are taken into account, the total cost of the package could reach $1trillion. (Letter from Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director, CBO to Rep. Paul Ryan, Jan. 27, 2009)

KRATOVIL WAS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE BEFORE HE WAS AGAINST IT.

At his campaign stop in Salisbury, Kratovil said he’s not afraid to buck party leadership, especially in regard to his no vote on health care. But Kratovil was a deciding vote in ensuring the health care bill would move forward to a vote.

· Kratovil on “moving the bill forward” would be the first PQ vote in the House: Roll Call 881 – he voted YES on the PQ for the rule on the House HC bill (http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-813-2342-125-9722)

House Democrat leadership gave a vulnerable Kratovil a pass on the final health care vote but Kratovil is on the record supporting the legislation throughout the process.

· “[Kratovil]…is on record supporting the public option for health care—though he voted against the House version of the health care bill in the end…” (Emily Esfahani Smith, “Democrat in Danger,” Weekly Standard, 2/22/10)

· “I believe that a public option may help reduce costs by increasing competition and expanding consumer choice…” (“Health care,” Kratovil congressional website, accessed 3/23/10)

· Kratovil signed a far-left, Big Labor-funded group’s petition calling for “a public insurance plan.”