Ryan vs. Stimulus

[soontobeka]

After repeated denials, Paul Ryan has admitted he requested stimulus cash even after sharply criticizing the program.

Ryan had denied doing so as recently as Wednesday, when he spoke to ABC’s Cincinnati affiliate, WCPO, in Ohio.

“I never asked for stimulus,” Mitt Romney’s new running mate said. “I don’t recall… so I really can’t comment on it. I opposed the stimulus because it doesn’t work, it didn’t work.”

Two years ago, during an interview on WBZ’s NewsRadio he was asked by a caller if he “accepted any money” into his district. Ryan said he did not.

“I’m not one [of those] people who votes for something then writes to the government to ask them to send us money. I did not request any stimulus money,” the congressman answered.

But as we’ve now learned, Ryan did write letters. He did request stimulus funds.

...

In 2009, Ryan wrote to Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis asking for stimulus money to cover costs on two energy conservation projects in his home state of Wisconsin. In the letter, Ryan said the funds would help create jobs and reduce “energy consumption” in the state. At least one of the companies received the requested cash.

The letters were first obtained by The Wall Street Journal through the Freedom of Information Act back in early 2010. The Boston Globe turned them up for the first time during this campaign season Wednesday. At that point, a Ryan aide referred ABC News back to what a Ryan spokesman said when the letters first went public.

“If Congressman Ryan is asked to help a Wisconsin entity applying for existing Federal grant funds, he does not believe flawed policy should get in the way of doing his job and providing a legitimate constituent service to his employers,” the spokesman told the Milwaukee (Wisc.) Journal Sentinel.

Thursday, Ryan responded to the questions himself.

“After having these letters called to my attention I checked into them, and they were treated as constituent service requests in the same way matters involving Social Security or Veterans Affairs are handled,” he said in a statement. “This is why I didn’t recall the letters earlier. But they should have been handled differently, and I take responsibility for that.

“Regardless, it’s clear that the Obama stimulus did nothing to stimulate the economy, and now the President is asking to do it all over again.”

abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/presented-with-letters-ryan-admits-requesting-stimulus-cash/

[soontobeka]

Fast forward to this morning:

During an interview with Fox News’ Carl Cameron on Saturday, Paul Ryan tried to explain why he denied requesting stimulus funds for a local energy company in 2009 after voting against and demagoguing the Recovery Act. “My office sends tens of thousands of letters to various federal agencies. This went through what we call my case work system, where it was treated as a case work request for a constituent,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t my intention to send letters supporting the stimulus”:

RYAN: I didn’t know about those letters until very recently when they were brought to my attention because they went through our constituent case work system and I take full responsibility for that. The point I’m trying to make is, the stimulus was a failure

thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/18/710751/paul-ryan-tells-fox-i-didnt-know-about-the-letters-i-signed-asking-for-stimulus-funds/

[sweettooth]

What puzzles me is that he is famous for being the number guy, the detail guy, and the control guy. How did millions of dollars get by? The letters show his signature. Did his staff sign his signature? Without his permission? How often did that happen and how much control does that represent? I can see a small issue being processed that way, but this was something like $20 million. That seems like a trigger for him to actually approve it.

[y4m]

It is extremely common for Hill staff to sign their bosses names. Most offices have auto-pens that do this automatically, but others do it manually. DH's office used to have competitions for who could do it the best.

[y4m]

And something handled in the constituent services process would very likely have been handled in a district office, not by the DC political staff.

[soontobeka]

I get the auto-pen aspect but how does your office request millions from a project that you vehemently oppose and you know nothing about it.

[soontobeka]

Looking at his website, it appears that what he lists under constitute services and particularly, the casework mentioned above deals with individuals needing assistance with federal agencies, not trying to secure federal funds for a project that benefits his district.
paulryan.house.gov/constituentservices/casework/default.aspx

[y4m]

Aug 18, 2012 20:01:14 GMT -5 soontobeka said:

Looking at his website, it appears that what he lists under constitute services and particularly, the casework mentioned above deals with individuals needing assistance with federal agencies, not trying to secure federal funds for a project that benefits his district.
paulryan.house.gov/constituentservices/casework/default.aspx

And he says in his statement they shouldn't have been handled through constituent services and he takes responsibility for that. But is it possible a member of congress could have a letter like that sent and signed without their knowledge by a constituent service staffer? Yes, that is definitely plausible based on how those things work in most house district offices.

[Deleted]

Aug 18, 2012 14:55:05 GMT -5 soontobeka said:

Fast forward to this morning:

RYAN: I didn’t know about those letters until very recently when they were brought to my attention because they went through our constituent case work system and I take full responsibility for that. The point I’m trying to make is, the stimulus was a failure

thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/18/710751/paul-ryan-tells-fox-i-didnt-know-about-the-letters-i-signed-asking-for-stimulus-funds/

I wonder if the folks who received the funds would agree.

Anyway, the stimulus was a "failure" he voted for. Just like he voted for the Bridge to Nowhere, TARP and two unfunded wars.

Fiscal conservative, my....

[y4m]

Aug 18, 2012 21:26:25 GMT -5 sandsonik said:

Anyway, the stimulus was a "failure" he voted for.

Huh? Paul Ryan absolutely 100% did not vote for the stimulus.

[ttt]

Aug 18, 2012 19:55:32 GMT -5 soontobeka said:

I get the auto-pen aspect but how does your office request millions from a project that you vehemently oppose and you know nothing about it.

I am here.

[soontobeka]

Aug 18, 2012 21:26:25 GMT -5 sandsonik said:

Aug 18, 2012 14:55:05 GMT -5 soontobeka said:

Fast forward to this morning:

RYAN: I didn’t know about those letters until very recently when they were brought to my attention because they went through our constituent case work system and I take full responsibility for that. The point I’m trying to make is, the stimulus was a failure

thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/18/710751/paul-ryan-tells-fox-i-didnt-know-about-the-letters-i-signed-asking-for-stimulus-funds/

I wonder if the folks who received the funds would agree.

Anyway, the stimulus was a "failure" he voted for. Just like he voted for the Bridge to Nowhere, TARP and two unfunded wars.

Fiscal conservative, my....

Don't forget Medicare Part D, bill that repealed Glass Stegall and voted against tighter regulations for the subprime mortgage industry.

[soontobeka]

Aug 18, 2012 20:16:57 GMT -5 y4m said:

Aug 18, 2012 20:01:14 GMT -5 soontobeka said:

Looking at his website, it appears that what he lists under constitute services and particularly, the casework mentioned above deals with individuals needing assistance with federal agencies, not trying to secure federal funds for a project that benefits his district.
paulryan.house.gov/constituentservices/casework/default.aspx

And he says in his statement they shouldn't have been handled through constituent services and he takes responsibility for that. But is it possible a member of congress could have a letter like that sent and signed without their knowledge by a constituent service staffer? Yes, that is definitely plausible based on how those things work in most house district offices.

but he does NOT take responsibility for requesting what was contained in the letters, just that the request went through the wrong process.

[poutinedreams]

Aug 18, 2012 18:58:39 GMT -5 y4m said:

And something handled in the constituent services process would very likely have been handled in a district office, not by the DC political staff.

The idea and draft letter may originate at the district office, but sending a multi million dollar request to a cabinet secretary warrants a personal review & signature from the congressman. Auto-signers are for thank you notes & form letters.

[emmybean]

Aug 18, 2012 23:28:25 GMT -5 poutinedreams said:

Aug 18, 2012 18:58:39 GMT -5 y4m said:

And something handled in the constituent services process would very likely have been handled in a district office, not by the DC political staff.

The idea and draft letter may originate at the district office, but sending a multi million dollar request to a cabinet secretary warrants a personal review & signature from the congressman. Auto-signers are for thank you notes & form letters.

Totally off topic, but:

Poutinedreams is my favorite screen name ever.

Are you a new poster or an old poster with a new name?

ETA: now I see it seems you are Mr Sibil? Lol even more betterer.

[emilyj]

Aug 18, 2012 19:55:32 GMT -5 soontobeka said:

I get the auto-pen aspect but how does your office request millions from a project that you vehemently oppose and you know nothing about it.

I am here too. $20 million is a shit ton. I just can't fathom how this got through with him having no knowledge of it.

[ttt]

I want to know how I can get $20 million auto signed by my rep's office.