Politics

Opportunistic Politicians Say Boston Bombing Demonstrates Need to End Sequestration, Halt Immigration Reform

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DonkeyHotey / photo on flickr

If you thought Alex Jones and Luke Russert were insensitive and/or insane for quickly turning yesterday's bombing of the Boston Marathon into a bias-confirming whodunit, then you'll love/hate the talking points being churned out by Congressmen Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Steve King (R-Iowa), and former Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.).

Here's Hoyer:

At his weekly Capitol briefing Tuesday, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said the explosions in Boston demonstrates "why having the ability to dress security concerns is important," and thus provides more evidence that sequestration should be turned off.

Asked by a reporter whether Monday's attack makes the argument for addressing sequestration, Hoyer explained, "I think there are multiple reasons for ensuring that we invest in our security -- both domestic and international security. That we invest in the education of our children. That we invest in growing jobs in America. And don't pursue an irrational, across-the-board policy of cutting the highest priorities and the lowest priorities essentially the same percentage…. I think this is another proof of that -- if proof is needed, which I don't think frankly it is." 

Here's King: 

Representative Steve King of Iowa, a prominent House conservative, says Congress should be cautious about rushing immigration reform, especially after Monday's bombing in Boston, where three people were killed.

"Some of the speculation that has come out is that yes, it was a foreign national and, speculating here, that it was potentially a person on a student visa," King says. "If that's the case, then we need to take a look at the big picture."

Here's Frank: 

On MSNBC on Tuesday, former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank doubled down on his argument that the Boston Marathon terrorist attacks make the case for bigger government, telling anchor Thomas Roberts that his reaction earlier in the day was "the only sensible response."

"Yes, exactly — I'm talking common sense," Frank said. "I'm saying that if the sequester had gone through, as we had not had enough money, we couldn't be able to do this. Yeah. I'm making an argument about reality. And I think that's the only sensible response. We are spending a great deal of public money here. I am glad that we are."

Frank called it a "teaching moment."

"And yes, I do want maybe for this to have some people be less enthusiastic about reducing our ability to respond to a crisis like this."

And here are three awful programs your tax dollars are funding, in addition to those first responders in Boston. 

H/t Jon Blanks