Roby expresses frustration with ‘shutdown strategy’ endorsed by the Tea Party

WASHINGTON – Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, on Wednesday expressed frustration with the “shutdown strategy” for which many members of the Tea Party advocated throughout the debt limit debate.

“The problem is the ‘shutdown strategy’ damaged the House’s bargaining power in these negotiations,” Roby said. “I staunchly oppose ObamaCare, and I am proud to stand with those that have fought this bad policy every step of the way. That fight is not over. Especially now, as residents throughout Alabama are just learning of dramatic ObamaCare-driven premium increases, we are motivated more than ever to replace this harmful law.”

Roby insisted she was steadfast in her opposition to President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care reform law, but said she had been against using a shutdown as a bargaining chip all along, including during the August recess when she made stops throughout her district.

“Despite my fierce opposition to ObamaCare, I have always been honest with my constituents about the improbability of repealing or defunding the law until Republicans regain control of the Senate and eventually the White House,” she said. “Throughout my August and September district visits, I repeatedly warned that shutting down the government over ObamaCare was a poor strategy. I said it wouldn’t work because the sheer numbers in the Senate aren’t in our favor and Republicans don’t hold the White House. I said it would backfire, costing Republicans our momentum and damaging our prospects for the future. And, I said it would distract attention from the implementation of ObamaCare, which everyone predicted was going to be a ‘train wreck.’ As it turns out, all of this has come to pass.”

Roby did, however, vote “no” on the bill to re-open the government Wednesday night, citing its lack of spending reforms.

“I strongly believe we must act to avoid defaulting on our debt payments and reopen the government,” Roby said. “However, I cannot support a plan that increases our nation’s debt while offering no spending reforms. Washington’s addiction to spending is what led to this mess, and piling on more debt while ignoring the spending problem is exactly the wrong approach. A better way forward would be honest, simple legislation that takes care of our debt needs with corresponding spending reforms, provides temporary government funding, and allows us time to work toward a real budget. I know a majority of Republicans and Democrats would ultimately support such a plan.”

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