For Immediate Release:                         February 10, 2010

Contact:                                                  Ryan Hobart    (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125

Big Spender: Debt Nearly Doubled Under the Leadership of Congressman Roy Blunt

Jefferson City, MO – During the years that Congressman Roy Blunt was helping to lead Congress, both as Majority Whip and Majority Leader, the national debt grew from $5.7 trillion dollars to over $10 trillion in less than 10 years. [TreasuryDirect.gov]

Congressman Blunt’s hypocrisy has been on full display in recent months as he complains about government spending despite his record of pushing through unfunded programs and unbalanced budgets.

“Despite his attempts to ignore his record, Missourians should know that under Congressman Blunt’s leadership out of control spending nearly doubled our national debt,” said Missouri Democratic Party Communications Director Ryan Hobart. “It is nothing more than DC doublespeak when Congressman Blunt acts as if he is outraged about our national debt, considering that under his leadership Congress turned a $128 billion surplus into a $1.2 trillion deficit.”

Even his Republican primary opponents take issue with Blunt’s record of irresponsible government spending. In December, State Senator Chuck Purgason told the Kansas City Star: "When Representative Blunt was in the leadership the deficit grew almost $1.5 trillion. Republicans have proved they can't balance the budget either." [Chuck Purgason, KC Star 12/27/09]

Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason, and businessmen Mark Memoly and Bob Praprotnik in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for US Senate. 

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