Conservative Group to House GOP: Don't Draw Attention from Obama Scandals

Heritage Action president Michael Needham wrote to House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor on Thursday, urging them not to divert attention from President Barack Obama’s multiple scandals by trying to rush big government legislation through the House.

“For the first time, the activities of the Obama administration are receiving a sustained public vetting,” Needham wrote. “Americans’ outrage over Benghazi is amplified by the Internal Revenue Service’s intimidation of conservative grassroots organizations and a cascade of negative headlines. There is the real sense the Obama administration has been less than forthright with the American people, the press and lawmakers.”

Needham argues it would be “imprudent” for Boehner or Cantor to try to pass any legislation or do anything at all right now that “that shifts the focus from the Obama administration to the ideological differences within the House Republican Conference.” Needham specifically called out potential plans to pass the FARRM Act or the government-expanding Internet sales tax bill.

“To that end, we urge you to avoid bringing any legislation to the House Floor that could expose or highlight major schisms within the conference,” Needham wrote. “Legislation such as the Internet sales tax or the FARRM Act which contains nearly $800 billion in food stamp spending, would give the press a reason to shift their attention away from the failures of the Obama administration to write another ‘circular firing squad’ article.”

Needham added that conservatives in the House will still fight against these bills, even though the majority of the focus White House’s stream of embarrassing revelations.

“Make no mistake, principled conservatives will still oppose bad policy if it comes to the floor,” Needham wrote. “Rather than scheduling such legislation for consideration, we urge you to keep the attention focused squarely on the Obama administration. As the public’s trust in their government continues to erode, it is incumbent upon those of us who support a smaller, less intrusive government to lead.”