Congressman Ryan Sought Food Stamps, Stimulus Money, And Federal Business Loans

While being critical of federal handouts, Congressman Paul Ryan continued to seek them.

The Associated Press reviewed 8,900 pages of correspondence between Ryan’s congressional office and more than 70 executive branch agencies that it obtained under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. They showed that for 12 years as a member of Congress, Ryan has sought from the federal government money and benefits that in some cases represent the kinds of largess and specific programs he is now campaigning against.

As Mitt Romney’s running mate, Ryan calls those kinds of handouts big-government overreaching. He tells crowds he supports smaller government and rails against what he calls Obama’s wasteful spending, including the president’s $800 billion stimulus program…

Ryan’s constituents benefited from stimulus spending and other government-assistance programs, according to AP’s review. Ryan once told federal regulators that cutting a stimulus grant for a town in his district at the 11th hour would be “economically devastating.”

…Ryan explicitly supports programs and encourages federal agencies to take actions. He supported in his congressional letters some Wisconsin farms’ share of an $11.8 million loan guarantee, but later criticized other loan guarantees, such as the $535 million loan that went to now-defunct solar panel maker Solyndra. He asked transportation officials for a grant for green technology and alternative fuels, although his proposed budget as House budget chairman called loans for electric car development “corporate welfare.”

…He’s also supported federal money to help a Kenosha, Wis., community center cover health care costs of low-income families under Obama’s health care reform law – the very program he and Romney say they will repeal if they win the White House.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.