Remember how Virginia Republicans were outraged at the Defense Department’s announced intention “to close the Norfolk-based Joint Forces Command, potentially costing the Hampton Roads region thousands of jobs?” At the time, Rep. Randy Forbes (R) even complained that the cuts were “merciless, cruel and without pity.” So, you’d think that Republicans have a principled opposition to any federal moves that might hurt Virginia’s economy and cost the state jobs, right?
Think again.
On the “flip” is a highlight sheet, helpfully provided by the Democratic Policy and Communications Center, of how badly proposed Republican spending cuts (under H.R. 1) would hurt Virginia. They make JFCOM look like small potatoes.
For instance, while shutting down JFCOM might result in the loss of, at most, 3,900 jobs – and probably a lot fewer – “an estimated 19,500 Virginia jobs would be lost if H.R. 1 is enacted into law.” That’s 5 times the number of Virginia jobs lost, thanks to the Republicans’ budget proposals in Congress – supported by all Republicans in the Virginia delegation, I might add – than JFCOM at its worst. Yet Republicans like Bob McDonnell complained and complained about JFCOM, but not a peep about HR 1. What’s THAT all about?!? Hmmmm.
But wait, it gets worse. On top of the crushing job losses to Virginia, Republicans spending cuts would also “hurt education in Virginia,” “make Virginia’s workforce less competitive,” cut Pell college tuition assistance by “nearly $700” per Virginia undergrad, cause “more than 3,300 Virginia children [to] lose access to Head Start,” make Virginia less secure by slashing homeland security investments and “hurting local law enforcement’s ability to keep Virginians safe,” making Metro and ports in the Hampton Roads area less secure. Other than that, HR 1 is a great idea. Not.
So, given these extremely harmful proposed cuts to Virginia, where’s the outrage Bob McDonnell? Cat got your tongue on this one? Or is it just that you complain, whine, and moan when it’s Democrats who are proposing the cuts, but you keep your mouth clamped firmly shut when it’s your own party that would severely harm the state you’re supposed to be fighting for? Just wanted to get that straight, ya know?
P.S. And what about Ken Cuccinelli? I’m shocked he’s not suing Congress to stop this assault on Virginia! I mean, he sues at the drop of a hat when it’s Democrats attempting to do good things – create clean energy jobs or provide health care to all Virginians – yet he sits on his hands when Republicans work to undermine Virginia’s economy and security. Gee, what could that double standard be about?
REPUBLICANS’ RECKLESS SPENDING PLAN WOULD COST VIRGINIA JOBS AND MAKE VIRGINIA COMMUNITIES LESS SAFE
There is no disagreement that we need to cut spending. We believe that we need to do it in a responsible way so that we live within our means and can invest in the future, out-building, out-educating, and out-innovating our competitors in the world economy. But as the economy continues to recover from the deepest recession in a generation, we cannot afford to make dramatic and indiscriminate cuts that would undermine Virginia jobs and public safety. The reckless Republican spending plan would do just that – an estimated 19,500 Virginia jobs would be lost if H.R. 1 is enacted into law, and thousands of Virginia families would be less safe.
REPUBLICAN SPENDING PLAN WOULD DESTROY VIRGINIA JOBS
Ø Independent, non-partisan analysis has found that H.R. 1 will cut 700,000 jobs through 2012, with Virginia set to lose more than 19,500 jobs.
Ø More than 2,000 community health center jobs will be eliminated in Virginia if the House-passed bill is enacted.
REPUBLICAN SPENDING PLAN WOULD HURT EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA, MAKE VIRGINIA’S WORKFORCE LESS COMPETITIVE
Ø Under H.R.1, the average Virginia undergraduate with Pell college tuition assistance will see their assistance cut by nearly $700.
Ø More than 3,300 Virginia children will lose access to Head Start, an early education program that is proven to help students complete high school.
Ø Virginia could lose upwards of $43 million in job training investments under H.R.1, which would impact approximately 18,000 potential Virginia workers.
REPUBLICAN SPENDING PLAN WILL MAKE VIRGINIA LESS SAFE
Ø H.R. 1 reduces Byrne Justice Grants for Virginia by nearly $3 million.
Ø H.R. 1 reduces Virginia’s homeland security investments by more than $2.2 million, hurting local law enforcement’s ability to keep Virginians safe.
Ø The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, encompassing D.C., Virginia and Maryland, will lose more than $13 million in Transit Security Grants under H.R. 1.
Ø The Hampton Roads area would lose $2.9 million in Port Security Grants under H.R. 1.
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