John McCain Myth Buster: John McCain and Spending

May 9, 2008 -- John McCain says he wants to spend the American people's "hard earned money wisely" and that "[e]armarks restrict America's ability to address genuine national priorities." But the truth is, McCain's economic proposals have been anything but responsible and have ignored many national priorities.

A John McCain supporter walks behind an SUV in Arlington, VA: Photo by Adam Fagen (CC)

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In fact, while visiting New York and New Jersey today McCain will encounter many of the critical projects and programs he has opposed, like port security, water clean-up projects, and bridges he will pass during his ride down the East River. At the same time he has proposed extending Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, handing out corporate tax breaks, privatizing social security, and keeping our troops in Iraq even though the war is now costing American taxpayers $12 billion a month. [johnmccain.com, accessed 5/9/08; 1995 Senate Vote #211, 5/25/1995; Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW.org) Pigbooks, FY95-FY07; 2006 Senate Vote #47, 3/15/2006]

The numbers just don't add up. McCain wants to cut funding for bridges but put money back into the pockets of billionaires? How is that investing in America's priorities?

McCain's Trip Down the East River Today Will Put Him Face-to-Face With Many Projects and Priorities He Has Opposed

McCain Voted Against $10 Billion In Funding For State Clean Water Grants. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment to the Fiscal Year 1996 Budget Resolution (SCR 13) that would have allowed $10.8 billion to provide Clean Water Grants to state and local governments to administer Federal water infrastructure program grants. [1995 Senate Vote #211, 5/25/1995]

McCain Opposes Money For Earmarks Like The Manhattan Bridge (2003, $850,000) In The FY2003 Transportation Appropriations Bill: Manhattan Bridge Physical Assessment (Surface Transportation Projects - Secretary of Transportation) [Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW.org) Pigbooks, FY95-FY07]

PORTS OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
McCain Voted Against $965 Million For Port Inspectors, Security Grants, And New Technologies. McCain voted against an amendment to provide $965 million for port security and assumes that $100 million will be used for 400 additional inspectors, $600 million for the Port Security Grants program, $100 million for research and development, $105 million for dual technologies, $50 million for new technologies in developing countries, and $10 million for new technologies integration; provides $965 million for debt reduction; and offsets by closing corporate tax loopholes. [2006 Senate Vote #47, 3/15/2006]

Source: DNC