Congressman Jim Nussle is calling on two powerful unions to pull a TV ad that’s critical of him. The AFSCME and S-E-I-U ad contends Republicans like Nussle have favored “billions” in tax cuts for “millionaires” while cutting other programs, like student aid and health care for the poor. Nussle, who is chairman of the House Budget Committee, dismisses AFSCME’s claims. “It’s interesting because when you’re the budget chairman, particularly this time of year, you’re one of the more hated people, I think, in Washington,” Nussle says. “You’re either cutting spending too much for some people’s like or for that matter you’re not cutting it enough for other people’s appreciation.”
Nussle says the G-O-P spending plan calls for reforms in “very important government programs” that haven’t been reformed for 30 or 40 years. The goal is to deliver the “product” more efficiently, according to Nussle. “It’s saving money, yes, over that time,” Nussle says. But Nussle contends the plan does not cut the budget. He says spending for health care, food programs and human services increases under the Republicans’ plan. Nussle says he’s asking AFSCME to pull its ads because the commercial’s claims are “outright lies.” “We’re not cutting,” Nussle says. “We’re slowing the rate of growth.”
The unions stand by their ad, which is part of their “Emergency Campaign for America’s Priorities.” The p-r campaign is designed to put pressure on members of Congress in advance of a scheduled February 1st vote on the budget and tax cut plan. The unions contend the budget Nussle and other Republican leaders are developing includes “draconian” cuts. Nussle’s campaign issued a statement arguing the unions were “playing fast and loose with the facts.”