Club for Growth President Chris Chocola: “Mike Simpson’s not only a liberal, but he’s also earned the dubious distinction of earning praise from Nancy Pelosi for his love of bigger government.” 

Washington, DC - Today, the Club for Growth PAC noted that Mike Simpson was one of just 10 Republicans to vote to spend millions on a park in Nancy Pelosi’s district in San Francisco. The Washington Post highlighted that fact today, noting that “Pelosi, in fact, singled out Simpson for praise” after the vote: 

“Mike Simpson’s not only a liberal, but he’s also earned the dubious distinction of earning praise from Nancy Pelosi for his love of bigger government,” said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola. “Mike Simpson voted with Democrats for a bigger Obama stimulus. He voted for the $700 billion taxpayer bailout of Wall Street and then tried to pretend he voted to repeal it. Mike Simpson voted to raise the debt limit by trillions without one dollar of spending cuts. Mike Simpson’s liberal record is out of step with Idaho Republican primary votes, who should send him home on election day.” 

See below a copy of Pelosi’s 2011 statement in praise of Mike Simpson for voting against an amendment to stop millions in federal funding for a park in her district:

http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-amendment-eliminating-presidio-funding

Pelosi Statement on Amendment Eliminating Presidio Funding

Feb 17, 2011 

Press Release

Contact: Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed an amendment by Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) to eliminate federal funding for the Presidio Trust as part of H.R.1, the fiscal year 2011 funding resolution, by a vote of 239-186.

“The Presidio has long been a shining example of a successful public-private partnership, crafted with the support of both Republicans and Democrats. Today, we were pleased the Presidio again received bipartisan support, including Chairman Mike Simpson of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment. Transforming a military post into an urban national park, we created a model for the nation.

“From its creation, we intended the Presidio to eventually become financially self-sustaining; every year, the federal investment required for the Presidio decreases. Instead, today’s misguided Republican action would result in higher future obligations by the federal government.

“The Presidio Trust is well on its way toward meeting its financial, stewardship, and public use goals, and is headed toward self-sufficiency in 2013. I will fight alongside Senators Feinstein and Boxer to ensure that this damaging provision never becomes law.”