Koch network groups are joining forces to go after the social safety net. Freedom Partners, Americans For Prosperity, the LIBRE Initiative, Concerned Veterans for America, and Generation Opportunity, are teaming up to go after the social safety net with a new “Stop, Cut & Fix” initiative, innocuously billed as “A simple plan to reduce spending and provide certainty.”
But it turns out “Stop, Cut & Fix” is code for “stop America’s working families from accessing vital programs, cut their earned benefits, and fix, well, nothing.”
Charles and David Koch have been trying to kill Medicaid and other social safety net programs for years. They’ve been unsuccessful to-date, but that doesn’t mean they’re taking “no” for an answer. On the contrary, the “Stop, Cut & Fix” launch shows Charles and David are as geared-up as ever to go after essential programs upon which millions of Americans rely.
Stop, Cut & Fix states its primary objective as follows:
[An] appropriations bill would provide government funding until September 30, 2018, at levels already set in law by Congress. It would reduce discretionary government spending in 2018 to $1.064 trillion—a level already established in federal law—and ensure that no impending government shutdowns are used as leverage to break this cap.
Sounds innocent enough, but look at what Koch front-group leaders are saying about the plan. Their candor on its true purposing says all you need to know about the sinister motivations behind the initiative:
- Concerned Veterans For America VP Dan Caldwell: Mandatory spending programs, including “entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare” are “[d]riving [our] debt and imperiling our national security. This year they will represent two-thirds of government spending, and includes entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.”
- Freedom Partners Senior Policy Advisor Andy Koenig: “A two-year funding bill would give Congress time to fix it. Lawmakers could go through a normal appropriations process, publicly debating spending priorities for each part of the federal government. They would even have time to discuss reforms to entitlements — the main drivers of America’s $19.4 trillion-and-growing national debt.”
- LIBRE Initiative Executive Director Daniel Garza: “Stop, Cut, & Fix is a good way to address all of these problems. It protects and promotes economic opportunity by limiting government.”
The Koch front-groups are framing the proposed two-year appropriations plan as a way to avoid a government shutdown, neglecting to mention that the only risk of a government shutdown comes from the Koch-funded House Freedom Caucus.
The only thing the Koch front groups’ new initiative would accomplish is advancing Charles and David Kochs’ decades-long war on the social safety net.
Background:
Koch Network Campaign Against The Social Safety Net
The Koch Network’s “Stop, Cut & Fix” Campaign Advocated For A Long-Term Spending Resolution To “Lock Real Spending Cuts Into Place”
A Coalition Of Koch Groups Including Freedom Partners, AFP, LIBRE, CVA, And GenOpp Launched The “Stop, Cut, And Fix” Campaign Urging Congress To Pass A “Long-Term Appropriations Spending Bill,” Cut Spending, And “Change Budget Rules That Encourage Higher Spending.” According to StopCutFix.com, “The Plan[:] A responsible appropriations plan to cut spending and provide certainty […] 1. Stop Budgeting By Crisis[;] End the cycle of budgeting by crisis by passing a long-term appropriations spending bill. […] 2. Cut Federal Spending[;] Lock real spending cuts into place no matter who becomes the next president. […] 3. Fix Our Broken Budget Process[;] Change budget rules that encourage higher spending and return to a regular order process. […] This coalition represents Americans across the country and all walks of life. […] Freedom Partners[;] Americans for Prosperity[;] The LIBRE Initiative […] Concerned Veterans for America[;] Generation Opportunity” [StopCutFix.com, accessed 6/14/16]
- The Appropriations Plan Proposed By The Stop, Cut, And Fix Campaign Would “Provide Government Funding Until September 30, 2018” And “Reduce Discretionary Government Spending In 2018 To $1.064 Trillion.” According to StopCutFix.com, “What Would This Plan Do? […] This two-year continuing appropriations bill would provide government funding until September 30, 2018, at levels already set in law by Congress. It would reduce discretionary government spending in 2018 to $1.064 trillion—a level already established in federal law—and ensure that no impending government shutdowns are used as leverage to break this cap.” [StopCutFix.com, accessed 6/14/16]
Stop, Cut & Fix Criticized Lame Duck Spending Bills As “Vehicles For Massive Spending Increases And Unrelated Policies.” According to a web post by Stop, Cut & Fix, “As we’ve noted for weeks, when Congress passes massive spending bills right after an election, accountability goes out the window. That’s because many of the people voting on the bills—and this year the president—are leaving office and will never have to face voters again. This leads to government-funding bills that become vehicles for massive spending increases and unrelated policies.” [StopCutFix.com, 8/9/16]
LIBRE Initiative Executive Director Daniel Garza Said That The Stop, Cut, & Fix Campaign Protected And Promoted “Economic Opportunity By Limiting Government.”According to a press release by The LIBRE Initiative, “Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement: […] ‘Stop, Cut, & Fix is a good way to address all of these problems. It protects and promotes economic opportunity by limiting government, and it ensures government will be funded through the start of the next presidential administration. We urge Congress to take up this legislation and consider it promptly.” [LIBRE Initiative, 6/14/16]
Concerned Veterans For America Vice President Dan Caldwell Promoted “Stop, Cut & Fix” As A Way To “Reverse” The Course On “Mandatory Spending Programs Like Social Security And Medicare”
Caldwell: Congress Must Reform Our Entitlement Programs Using The “Stop, Cut & Fix Plan, Which Will Stop Crisis Budgeting, Cut Federal Spending, And Fix Washington’s Broken Budget Process.” According to an op-ed by Concerned Veterans for America vice president of policy and communications Dan Caldwell, “Congress also must make real strides in reforming our entitlement programs. Even if other spending can be controlled, the runaway growth of spending on Social Security and other safety-net programs will continue America’s descent towards bankruptcy. Cost-control measures and reforms to the way benefits are distributed, not to mention the elimination of any redundant or fraudulent spending, would help mitigate the rising expenditures on these programs. This isn’t the direction Congress has been moving so far, but these are the goalposts they should set. A balanced budget and entitlement reform aren’t just political concerns—they’re matters of national security. Fortunately, there’s already a proposed solution for lawmakers to get our country back on track: The Stop, Cut & Fix plan, which will stop crisis budgeting, cut federal spending, and fix Washington’s broken budget process.” [Dan Caldwell – The Hill, 8/8/16]
Caldwell: Mandatory Spending Programs Like Social Security And Medicare Have Been Driving Our Debt And “Imperiling Our National Security;” It’s Time For Our Leaders To Reverse Course. According to an op-ed by Concerned Veterans for America vice president of policy and communications Dan Caldwell, “Driving this debt and imperiling our national security in the process are mandatory spending programs. This year they will represent two-thirds of government spending, and includes entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. Unlike the military budget, which is considered discretionary and subject to annual approval, these programs are funded automatically and are estimated to have as much as $140 trillion in unfunded liabilities. Yet in spite of that, and unless lawmakers change the way they operate, Social Security and Medicare are expected to be bankrupt within 15 years, dragging us further into debt. It’s time for our elected officials to reverse course before our nation goes the way of Greece. There are better ways of funding our government — methods that involve careful, disciplined discussion, rather than a last-minute flurry of spending each year.” [Dan Caldwell – The Hill, 8/8/16]
Freedom Partners Senior Policy Advisor Andy Koenig Wrote That “Stop, Cut & Fix” Would Allow Lawmakers To “Discuss Reforms To Entitlements”
Freedom Partners Senior Policy Advisor Andy Koenig Criticized Federal Lawmakers Who Advocate For Short-Term Funding Bills To Avoid Government Shutdown. According to an opinion by Freedom Partners senior policy advisor Andy Koenig for the Boston Herald, “With only days, or maybe just hours, before a shutdown, some lawmakers will advocate for a short-term funding bill that lasts through December. This will kick the debate over next year’s budget into a ‘lame-duck’ session — the two-month period between the election and the next administration, when neither Congress nor President Obama are accountable to voters.” [Andy Koenig – Boston Herald, 8/14/16]
Koenig Wrote That A Two-Year Funding Bill Would Give Lawmakers Time To “Discuss Reforms To Entitlements.” According to an opinion by Freedom Partners senior policy advisor Andy Koenig for the Boston Herald, “It’s obvious that the budgeting process is broken. A two-year funding bill would give Congress time to fix it. Lawmakers could go through a normal appropriations process, publicly debating spending priorities for each part of the federal government. They would even have time to discuss reforms to entitlements — the main drivers of America’s $19.4 trillion-and-growing national debt.” [Andy Koenig – Boston Herald, 8/14/16]
Koenig Wrote That Using The Threat Of A Government Shutdown To “Hike Government Spending In A Lame-Duck Session” Was The “Biggest Problem With The Current System,” And Added That It Was Akin To A “Hostage Situation.” According to an opinion by Freedom Partners senior policy advisor Andy Koenig for the Boston Herald, “The biggest problem with the current system is that some lawmakers — on both sides of the aisle — leverage the threat of a shutdown to hike government spending in a lame-duck session. It’s little different than a hostage situation, and it’s happened three times in the past four years.” [Andy Koenig – Boston Herald, 8/14/16]
- Koenig Wrote That Congress Should “Reject A Short-Term Continuing Resolution That Empowers Unaccountable Politicians In A Lame-Duck Session To Craft A Massive, Waste-Ridden Omnibus Spending Bill.”According to a memo by Freedom Partners senior policy advisor Andy Koenig for Freedom Partners, “When Congress reconvenes in September, lawmakers should reject a short-term continuing resolution that empowers unaccountable politicians in a lame-duck session to craft a massive, waste-ridden omnibus spending bill.” [Andy Koenig – Freedom Partners, 7/14/16]
- Koenig Noted That Leveraging The Threat Of A Government Shutdown To Increase Spending Happened “Three Times In The Past Four Years.” According to an opinion by Freedom Partners senior policy advisor Andy Koenig for the Boston Herald, “The biggest problem with the current system is that some lawmakers — on both sides of the aisle — leverage the threat of a shutdown to hike government spending in a lame-duck session. It’s little different than a hostage situation, and it’s happened three times in the past four years.” [Andy Koenig – Boston Herald, 8/14/16]
Koenig’s Op-Ed Was Posted In At Least 18 Different States
Alabama
Koenig’s Alabama Media Group Opinion Headline: “How To Fix D.C.’s Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – Alabama Media Group, 8/18/16]
Connecticut
Koenig’s Stamford Advocate Opinion Headline: “How To Fix D.C.’s Budget Dysfunction.”[Andy Koenig – Stamford Advocate, 8/16/16]
Delaware
Koenig’s News Journal Opinion Headline: “How To Fix DC’s Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – News Journal, 8/15/16]
Florida
Koenig’s Florida Times-Union Opinion Headline: “Suggestions To Avoid A Washington Shutdown.” [Andy Koenig – Florida Times-Union, 8/19/16]
Koenig’s Pensacola New Journal Opinion Headline: “Another Shutdown Looming.”[Andy Koenig – Pensacola News Journal, 8/20/16]
Georgia
Koenig’s Augusta Chronicle Opinion Headline: “Stop, Cut And Fix: How Georgia’s Lawmakers Can Solve Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – Augusta Chronicle, 8/21/16]
Illinois
Koenig’s Daily Herald (Chicago) Opinion Headline: “‘Stop, Cut, Fix’ To Solve Federal Budget.” [Andy Koenig – Daily Herald, 8/20/16]
Indiana
Koenig’s News-Sentinel Opinion Headline: “Let’s ‘Stop, Cut & Fix’ Government.” [Andy Koenig – News-Sentinel, 8/15/16]
Kansas
Koenig’s Wichita Eagle Opinion Headline: “How To Fix D.C.’s Budget Dysfunction.”[Andy Koenig – Wichita Eagle, 8/18/16]
Massachusetts
Koenig’s Boston Herald Opinion Headline: “As You Were Saying…Rx For US Budget Brinkmanship.” [Andy Koenig – Boston Herald, 8/12/16]
Michigan
Koenig’s Detroit News Opinion Headline: “How To Fix Washington’s Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – Detroit News, 8/12/16]
Mississippi
Koenig’s Clarion-Ledger Opinion Headline: “How To Fix D.C.’s Budget Dysfunction.”[Andy Koenig – Clarion-Ledger, 8/10/16]
Nevada
Koenig’s Reno Gazette Journal Opinion Headline: “One View: How To Fix DC’s Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – News Journal, 8/15/16]
Oklahoma
Koenig’s Oklahoman Opinion Headline: “Three Steps To A Federal Funding Bill.” [Andy Koenig – The Oklahoman, 8/13/16]
South Carolina
Koenig’s Greenville News Opinion Headline: “Congress Needs To Stop, Cut, Fix.” [Andy Koenig – Greenville News, 8/19/16]
Tennessee
Koenig’s Knoxville News Sentinel Opinion Headline: “Long-Term Funding Bill Should Be Passed.” [Andy Koenig – Knoxville News Sentinel, 8/20/16]
Texas
Koenig’s The Monitor (McAllen, TX) Opinion Headline: “Congress’ Budget Dysfunction – Enact Long-Term Fiscal Solutions.” [Andy Koenig – The Monitor, 8/17/16]
Koenig’s Austin American-Statesman Opinion Headline: “How To Fix D.C.’s Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – Austin American-Statesman, 8/19/16]
Utah
Koenig’s Deseret News Opinion Headline: “How To Fix DC’s Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – Deseret News, 8/20/16]
Wisconsin
Koenig’s Green Bay Press-Gazette Opinion Headline: “How To Fix D.C.’s Budget Dysfunction.” [Andy Koenig – Green Bay Press-Gazette, 8/20/16]
Koch Groups Previously Proposed Similar Measures, Specifically Targeting Entitlement Reforms
LIBRE Initiative Policy Analyst Valerio Martinelli Wrote That Congress Should Pass A Budget That Reforms “The Rapidly Growing Area Of Entitlements And Mandatory Spending.” According to a post by LIBRE Initiative policy analyst Valerio Martinelli for The LIBRE Initiative’s Blog LIBRE, “Congress should move forward with passing a budget that addresses our difficult long term fiscal challenges by reforming the rapidly growing area of entitlements and mandatory spending, so that programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are sustainable in the long term and still available for future generations of Hispanics.” [TheLIBREInitiative.com/Blog-LIBRE, 3/18/16]
CVA Launched The “Target The Debt” Campaign In April 2016, Which Advocated For Returning “Certainty To The Budget Process” And Reforming “Entitlement And Mandatory Spending Programs.” According to Concerned Veteran’s for America’s Target the Debt webpage, “Here’s how Washington should target the debt: Reform entitlement and mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare to both preserve them for future generations and reduce their long-term impact on the debt. […] Any serious plan to reduce our national debt must reform the entitlements and mandatory spending programs in a way that reduces the burden they put on our nation’s finances while preserving the programs for future generations. Return certainty to the budget process. Another step toward getting our debt under control is a functional budget process, in which Congress passes a budget and all spending bills are debated and finalized in the public’s eye not behind closed doors and with little public debate.” [Target the Debt, Accessed 4/29/16]
Mercatus Center Affiliated Scholar James Capretta Advocated For A Joint Budget Resolution (JBR) That Would Address The “Endless Inertia In Current Federal Budgeting” And Address “Rising Entitlement Spending.” According to Mercatus Center Affiliated Scholar James C. Capretta, “A joint budget resolution (JBR) could provide a partial antidote for the problems of budgetary drift, rising entitlement spending, and endless inertia in current federal budgeting practices.” [Mercatus Center, 5/24/16]