Walsh Offers No Apologies for Budget Cuts

Freshman Republican Congressman Joe Walsh seems unfazed by critics and recent attack ads. Planned Parenthood is currently airing radio ads targeting several GOP House members, including Walsh, who voted last week to cut federal funding for the non-profit women’s health organization.

The ad calls out Rep. Walsh saying he “just voted against one of the best investments ever: making sure that women and families can get affordable birth control and preventive health care.”

“It doesn’t matter to me. I voted as I thought I should vote. We shouldn’t allow any public funding for abortions,” the 8th District Congressman said after the issue was raised at a town hall meeting he hosted at Harper College in Palatine Thursday evening. “It’s interesting they’re complaining about funding and then they’re spending a decent amount of money to go after us.”

Rumors of protestors showing up to the meeting never surfaced.

But both Walsh critics and supporters filled the Harper auditorium for the town hall meeting and no questions were off limits. Rich Rudd of Palatine who voted against Walsh yelled out “what are you going to do for jobs?”

“We get jobs when we get government out of the way,” Walsh responded to applause.

“We have fundamental disagreements,” said Rudd after the meeting. “You got to tax the rich. You can’t scream about a budget then go and cut taxes on the wealthy. It’s got to be a progressive tax. They can’t be doing abortion bills and saying our number one thing is jobs. It’s not.”

Walsh also fielded questions about rising oil prices, illegal immigration, veterans benefits, social security, education, Wisconsin’s fleeing democrats and even his sleep habits which have come under fire.

“Yes, I sleep in the (congressional) office,” said Walsh about his overnight stays in Washington. “The couch is uncomfortable. I live in McHenry. I don’t want to live in Washington.”

Walsh said the $61 billion dollars in cuts House Republicans made from non-security discretionary funds last week were not easy, but a big first step.

“Put your seatbelts on,” Walsh told the crowd. “We (America) need shock therapy. We whacked a lot of good, interesting programs. Unfortunately, a lot of people taking hits are some of the neediest of the needy.”

The House spending bill still needs Senate approval. If the House and Senate don’t reach an agreement by March 4, they’ll have to pass a temporary spending bill to keep the government running.

Terry Wynn from Long Grove came to the town hall meeting worried about the federal budget.

“I’m very concerned about money and this crushing debt that we have,” said Wynn. “Specifically, what is the strategy of congress to do something about keeping our economy afloat and keeping our taxes down.”

David Mikitka of Schaumburg said he wanted to tell Walsh to stick to his guns when it came time for tough budget votes.

“I need him to stay strong and stick with these deep budget cuts even if it means a government shut down,” said Mikitka.

Walsh is showing no signs of backing down on his beliefs and the issues he campaigned on. He said he could “care less about his reelection” in two years.

“Bring it on,” he said. “I’m on a mission. I was sent to Washington to stop what’s been done. I want to stop this bankrupting of my children and grandchildren’s future.”

While Walsh is getting his feet wet in Washington, it will get a little icy as he keeps one campaign promise this weekend. Walsh promised if he won the election he would participate in the polar bear plunge again in the Fox Lake. So, he’ll take the plunge this Sunday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. to benefit the Special Olympics.

Walsh also promises more open forums. He has held more than a dozen town hall meetings and smaller events at coffee shops around the district since the election. He vows to be the “most accessible congressman on the planet.”