Jim Cooper (TN-05)

Background:
  • Official Website
  • First elected in 2002
  • Washington Office Phone #: (202) 225-4311
The Myth:
  • "As a leader of the fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats, I will always vote to spend your money prudently and wisely." - Rep. Jim Cooper (Source)

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  • "As a leader of the fiscallyconservative "Blue Dog" Democrats in Congress, I focus intently on the budget, the deficit, and controls on spending." - Rep. Jim Cooper (Source)

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  • "The problems of the deficit are staggering, and have been Mr. Cooper's long preoccupation, as well as the essence of his Blue Dog soul." - Wall Street Journal (Source)

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  • Cooper said the Obama administration "shared my longstanding commitment to fiscal responsibility.” - POLITICO.com (Source)

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  • "Congressman Jim Cooper is a Democrat and a fiscally-conservative Blue Dog." - Capitol News Connection (Source) 

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  • "Obama and his advisers have reached out to fiscally conservative Democrats such as Cooper." - POLITICO.com (Source)

The Truth:X=Fiscally Irresponsible
ISSUE   FACT
Votes with Pelosi on economic issues X 74%
Votes to keep PAYGO rules X 44%
RePORK Card Score   97%
On Obamacare X Voted YES
Repeal ObamaCare's Individual Mandate? X Voted NO
On Cap and Trade X Voted YES
On Stimulus X Voted YES
On TARP X Voted YES
On Repealing TARP X Voted NO
On Obama Budget X Voted YES
On Cash for Clunkers X Voted YES
On Auto Bailout   Voted NO
On Fannie/Freddie Bailout X Voted YES

The Bottom Line:

For someone who so often boasts as being a fiscal conservative, Representative Jim Cooper sports an awful record when it comes to austerity. His support for a multitude of Obama’s big spending policies makes him anything but a fiscally responsible member of Congress.  To his credit, he has continually voted for amendments that strip out earmarks, but the rest of his record is filled with big government largesse.

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