Blue Dog Democrat Questions Need for Stimulus Plan

Rob Bluey / January 16, 2008

Rep. Baron Hill, a Blue Dog Democrat from Indiana, voiced concern today about the rush for Congress to pass an economic stimulus plan. During the question-and-answer portion of this morning’s hearing before the Joint Economic Committee, Hill noted that Democrats violated PAYGO rules when they passed a one-year freeze for the Alternative Minimum Tax. Hill said he feared the same would be true with the stimulus.

Hill complained about how much a stimulus package might add to the budget deficit and suggested a short-term fix might not be best for the country. Seizing on the opportunity, Heritage’s Bill Beach, a witness at the hearing, responded: “Amen.” Watch the exchange below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLh62AK9wqI[/youtube]