Congressman Dennis Rehberg's Montana speeches don't match up to his Washington, D.C., record. He certainly tells Montanans what they want to hear about solutions to wolves, Pell Grants reform, ending oil subsidies, and saving Medicare.
The problem is Congressman Rehberg hasn't brought solutions to any of these issues. In fact, while in Washington, D.C., he's actually worked against solutions to each of these challenges.
For Congressman Rehberg, saying one thing in Montana and doing another in DC is an irresponsible habit. And it's taking a toll on our state.
Medicare
Take Medicare, for example. Congressman Rehberg is now spending your taxpayer money on glossy fliers to Montanans in an effort to tell them he supports Medicare. Why? Because he's in damage control. He hopes you will forget that his signature failed legislation - a bill to gut the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - would end Medicare as we know it for thousands of Montanans, and millions of Americans.
Given his lack of leadership in trying to deny Medicare to millions of Americans, all Montanans should be concerned about Congress-man Rehberg's irresponsible plans for Medicare.
Wolves
Congressman Rehberg is also fond of telling Montanans that it's time to put wolves back under state management. That's what Montanans wanted to hear. But when it came time to put his money where his mouth is, Congressman Rehberg voted against a measure-sponsored by Max Baucus and Jon Tester-that returned control over wolves back to Montana.
Instead of voting for a responsible, bipartisan solution, Congressman Rehberg voted against Montana's best interest in order to help his own political career.
Oil Subsidies
In Columbus, Congressman Rehberg recently told Montanans that ending massive giveaways for big oil companies was "on the table." He didn't tell Montanans that a week before he held a fundraiser hosted by a British Petroleum executive with his old friends in the big oil industry. And Congressman Rehberg certainly didn't tell Montanans that a few days after his Columbus visit, he voted against ending subsides for big oil.
It makes sense that Congressman Rehberg would want to say holding big oil accountable is an option - after all, it's what Montanans expect. We are frustrated with the rising price of gas and we're tired of irresponsible big business running roughshod over our economy.
Let's be clear - Congressman Rehberg knew ending subsidies for big oil wasn't on the table, but he said so anyway. Montanans would be a lot better off if Congressman Rehberg gave us straight answers about what he really intends to do.
Pell Grants
A little while ago Congressman Rehberg, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, called Pell Grants "welfare." Pell Grants provide vital financial assistance for Montana families and kids who want to go to college.
Montana students were understandably upset, because Pell Grants create a bridge between students and good quality jobs. In response, Congressman said that he wanted to "reform" Pell Grants.
The problem is that he hasn't said how he wants to reform Pell Grants. He certainly hasn't presented a plan to strengthen Pell Grants. In fact, Congressman Rehberg has voted to severely gut Pell Grants. That's hardly reform, and hardly a responsible plan to help Montana students who need a good education to find good jobs.
It turns out that Congressman Rehberg's opinion of Pell Grants depends on who he's talking to. When he's playing to an extremist crowd on talk radio, he calls them "welfare." When he's talking to Montana students, he says Pell Grants need "reform." When he's voting in D.C. he guts the program.
Montanans expect their elected officials to mean what they say, and say what they mean. We also expect our Congressman to act the same way in Montana that he does in Washington DC. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case with Congressman Rehberg. To lead responsibly, Congressman Rehberg needs to start lining up his DC actions with his convenient Montana talking points.
- Ted Dick is the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party.
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