Conservatives silenced in debate about economy

The Senate returns today from its Christmas recess and the economy will be front and center as an issue. Congressional conservatives, bolstered by outside supporters like Rush Limbaugh and the Heritage Foundation, are doing their best to inject some common-sense economic sanity into the debate between ineffective and temporary rebates (political handouts) or real long term pro-growth solutions.

Martin Kady has the scoop:

Fiscally conservative Republicans in the House and Senate are complaining bitterly that GOP leaders are shutting them out of the bipartisan effort to quickly pass an economic stimulus package.

These conservatives, many of whom helped frame the Republican fiscal message over the past several years, are accusing President Bush and their own congressional leaders of sacrificing long-held principles for short-term political gain by embracing a one-time tax rebate, some social welfare spending and some modest business tax incentives.

The biggest gripe from the right: The push for permanent tax cuts is being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. Conservative leaders complain that putting gas and grocery money in the hands of taxpayers — especially in an election year — is much easier than debating President Bush’s 2001 tax cuts or a reduction in the corporate tax rate.