Outrage of the Week: National Debt Hits $16 Trillion. Who is Bob Menendez Fighting For?

“Three (debt-ceiling) increases in three years is an unmistakable admission of an economic debacle…now after realizing that there’s not enough money to pay for it all, they’re turning to the American workers to foot the bill…I believe its immoral to cast such a huge debt on the next generation of Americans.”
-Congressman Robert Menendez, 11/19/04

Today the United States marks a devastating milestone – the national debt now stands at $16 Trillion. Back in 2004, Congressman Bob Menendez seemed to understand the devastating nature of the debt on the middle class as he railed and voted against increasing the debt ceiling to $8.18 Trillion. He said it was wrong because it would be left to the American middle class to foot the bill. He was right. Unfortunately for the middle class, by 2010 Senator Menendez was casting his FIFTH vote in THREE years to do the opposite.

What changed to inspire such a change of heart? Nothing, but the size of the debt increase and the political affiliation of those asking for it. In fact, since 2009 Bob Menendez has voted to increase the debt by over $4 Trillion, leaving the middle class he pretends to fight for and future generations to foot the bill through increased taxes and lost jobs. For voting against principle and with his party, he has earned the Outrage of the Week.

“Time and again, Bob Menendez puts politics ahead of people regardless of the consequences to the American middle class. Bob Menendez said it was wrong when the Republicans increased the debt, but remained silent and went along with his party when they increased it. It's beyond outrageous,” said Kyrillos Campaign Manager Chapin Fay.

“Four trillion is a huge debt to cast on future generations and it’s wrong that Bob Menendez would force the American middle class to pay for it. Clearly Bob Menendez ain’t fighting for them.”

Background:

In June 2008, Menendez Voted To Raise The Debt Limit To $10.615 Trillion.
(S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: 6/4/08, Menendez Voted Yea)

In October 2008, Menendez Voted To Raise The Debt Limit To $11.3 Trillion.
(H.R. 1424, CQ Vote #213: 10/1/08, Menendez Voted Yea)

In February 2009, Menendez Voted to Raise The Debt Limit To $12.104 Trillion.
(H.R. 1, CQ Vote #64: 2/13/09, Menendez Voted Yea)

In December 2009, Menendez voted to Raise the Debt Limit to $12.4 Trillion
(H.R. 4314, CQ Vote #397: 12/24/09, Menendez Voted Yea)

In 2010 Menendez voted to Raise the Debt limit to $14.29 Trillion
(H. J. Res. 45, CQ Vote #14, 1/28/10, Menendez Voted Yea)