As he starts his second term in Congress, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney is increasingly visible as he focuses on federal spending.
We cant sustain a $14 trillion debt, said Rooney on Wednesday at a teleconferenced town hall event that went out to more than 50,000 homes across his South Florida district, which stretches from Port Charlotte, around the northern side of Lake Okeechobee, toward Port St. Lucie and Jupiter. Rooney represents parts of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties.
Rooney added that the new Republican majority in Congress would raise the debt ceiling, which he said he was not thrilled about, but would have to push significant cuts in spending to put Americas financial house in order.
We are doing business differently, insisted Rooney, who likened the Democrats' control of the White House and both houses of Congress in 2009 and 2010 to having a limitless credit card.
The congressman said that the federal and state governments desperately needed to rein-in spending. We are absolutely 100 percent broke in this country, he insisted.
Rooney said that the November elections, which saw Republicans take the U.S. House from the Democrats and pick up seats in the U.S. Senate, should serve as a wake-up call for politicians.
I saw what the last election was about, said Rooney. It was about spending.
This was not the only time in recent days that Rooney has focused on federal fiscal issues. On Tuesday night, the Florida Republican appeared on Neil Cavutos show on Fox Business supporting the idea of raising the debt ceiling and, again, demanding spending cuts.
Rooney fielded questions from his constituents on various matters ranging from international affairs to immigration, as well as fiscal issues. When pressed by one of his constituents over why he backed tax cuts for the wealthy, Rooney defended his support of extending tax cuts initially backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, saying they were cuts for all Americans.
Rooney touched on his committee assignments, including his new role as a deputy whip for the Republicans and his post as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, towhich he was named back in December. A former West Point instructor and JAG Corps officer in the Army, Rooney serves on the House Armed Services, Intelligence and Agriculture committees.
The congressman also said he did not think he would change his security in light of the mass shooting that killed six and wounded Arizona Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday. Calling the assailant a crazed lunatic, Rooney expressed his sympathy and prayers for the victims. He touched on how he broke the news to his 9-year-old child, noting that a girl the same age was killed in the tragedy.
Rooney would take to the airwaves again on Wednesday, appearing on MSNBC that afternoon with Dylan Ratigan to talk security issues after the incident in Arizona.
The sophomore congressmans increased visibility has raised speculation that he may join a potentially crowded field of Republican candidates looking at taking on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. Other Republican candidates looking to take on Nelson include former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
