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Ryan Called Stimulus Wasteful, Then Sought Funds

Posted Wednesday, August 15, 2012 --- 10:42 a.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Paul Ryan has been one of the harshest critics of President Barack Obama's 2009 economic stimulus package. But that hasn't stopped the Wisconsin congressman from trying to help companies in his home state tap into the funds.

Ryan's actions in Congress are drawing fresh scrutiny since he was chosen as the running mate for GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.

In 2009, Ryan wrote letters to the Energy and Labor departments seeking stimulus money for two Wisconsin energy conservation companies. One company later won a $20.3 million grant.

Ryan's efforts to help obtain the money stand in contrast to his public statements denigrating the stimulus program as a "wasteful spending spree."

A spokesman says Ryan doesn't believe a flawed policy should get in the way of helping his constituents.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.


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  • by Ben Location: Verona on Aug 16, 2012 at 03:06 PM
    Its called blindly following the party line. It doesn't matter, if the Democrats were to balance the budget and get the economy to fully recover the Republicans would find a way to spin it as "wrong". Both sides do this and its sick!
  • by Jeff Location: Madison on Aug 15, 2012 at 11:57 AM
    The best part of this whole thing, "A spokesman says Ryan doesn't believe a flawed policy should get in the way of helping his constituents.". If the stimulus program is really wasteful and a waste of time, why would you even state that it was "helping his constituents". Isn't that the point, to help promote business and get the economy back on track. Clearly the stimulus program did just what it was intended to do for Ryan's constituents. I love how some of these politicians and business leaders complain about the stimulus, but have no problem dipping their hands into the pot (Hovde). Either you truly believe it is bad and you refrain, or accept it for its true purpose when you have no problem taking the money.
  • by Aardvik Johnson Location: Green County on Aug 15, 2012 at 11:38 AM
    Hypocrisy personified.

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