Scott Brown, pallin' around with his kind, gazillionaire Mitt Romney (Brian Snyder/Reuters) That "independent" Sen. Scott Brown once again voted lock-step with his leadership, filibustering the extension of low interest rates for federally subsidized student loans. In a state dominated by colleges and universities, 177,000 students in Massachusetts will see their student loan payments increase on average $1,000 a year. Brown justifies his filibuster by saying he's offered up an alternative that would break through the partisanship, a cockamamie scheme to find the $6 billion necessary for the extension:
Using money the government already has but mistakenly spends. Brown, citing data he says he obtained from the Office of Management and Budget, wants to use part of the $115 billion in 'improper payments made by the federal government.'' Such payments, his office said, include money sent to the wrong recipient, incorrect amounts, and improperly disbursed funds.What Brown doesn't talk about is actually how the government is going to go about collecting that money, and how much it's going to cost to both figure out how to recapture those funds, and to get them back.
What Brown also doesn't talk about is the fact that he's joining in with all the rest of the Republicans voting against the most lower- and middle-income students to protect some wealthy business owners. The Democrats would pay for the bill by closing a corporate tax loophole that allows some business owners to avoid paying payroll taxes.
No, regular guy Scott Brown sure isn't going to tell middle class Massachusetts that he's not on their side on student loans. Or the Buffett Rule. Or ending taxpayer subsidies to big oil.
Help get rid of one more filibuster vote. Please contribute $5 to Elizabeth Warren on Orange to Blue.
No comments:
Post a Comment