Dennis Shulman for U.S. Congress: Sensible Leadership for New Jersey’s 5th District

Scott Garrett sits on the House Financial Services Committee, where he is an outspoken and explicit advocate of “deregulation.”  Outrageously, he said “it’s disconcerting to see the end of deregulation.”

Garrett Supports Deficit Spending: Garrett has had many opportunities in his Congressional career to limit deficit spending and even begin to pay down the national debt — yet he has supported budgets that continue to bankrupt the country and has opposed efforts that seek fiscal responsibility by starting to pay down the debt.

Garrett Voted to Increase The Debt Limit Of The United States By $2.6 Trillion: Between 2003 and 2006,

Garrett has voted at least three times to increase the national debt limit by $2.565 trillion to $8.965 trillion. This represents a 28.6% increase in the federal debt limit over three years.

Garrett Has Voted At Least Three Times Against fiscally responsible budget rules: Garrett has voted at least three times against pay-as-you-go budget rules that require new spending or tax cuts to be offset with revenue increases or a reduction in spending.  (Vote 382, 6/5/2008; Vote 9, 1/5/2007; Vote 157, 5/18/2006)

Garrett Voted To Make 21 Million Americans Pay The Alternative Minimum Tax: Garrett voted against a bill that provided a one-year adjustment to prevent an additional 21 million taxpayers from paying the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on 2008 income.

Garrett Voted Against Raising The Federal Minimum Wage To $7.25 Per Hour: In January 2007, Garrett voted against increasing the federal minimum wage by $2.10 over two years — from the current level of $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour.  The minimum wage would increase 60 days after enactment, from $5.15 to $5.85 an hour.  It would rise to $6.55 an hour a year later, and to $7.25 an hour the next year.

Garrett Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits Five Times: Garrett voted against extending federal unemployment benefits for individuals who have exhausted their current 26 weeks of compensation.  The bill would provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits, plus another 13 weeks of extended benefits in states with high unemployment rates.

Garrett Accepted $74,500 From Oil & Gas Industry: During the course of his Congressional career, Garrett has accepted $74,500 from the oil & gas industry.

Garrett Voted Against Overhauling The Mortgage Lending Industry: In November 2007, Garrett voted against creating a nationwide mortgage licensing system and registration of individual mortgage brokers and bank employees who originate mortgages.  The bill established minimum standards for home loans and expanded certain limits on high-cost mortgages.  It also prohibited brokers from steering consumers to mortgages they are unlikely to be able to repay.  Garrett’s chief of staff used to lobby for Countrywide Financial & WaMu, among others.  Garrett is part of the special interest, lobbyist driven politics that allowed the Wall Street collapse to happen.  We need a change — and Dennis Shulman will bring that change.