Congresswoman Bachmann has been generally supportive of the Paul Ryan Plan. She notes that what she supports is the need for changes in the way we deal with social security and medicare, and she supports the plan in general but has some concerns about the specifics. One specific item that she said may need to be addressed is the shifting of some costs onto senior citizens.
Reaction to Ryan Budget
In April of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann released a press statement noting her support for the Ryan proposal.
Bachmann Reacts to GOP Budget Plan
Washington, Apr 5 -
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) issued the following statement in reaction to the Budget Resolution introduced by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI):
“The fiscal disaster that’s been perpetuated by record levels of government spending is threatening to ruin our country. We need a way out and this plan merits our full attention. House Republicans are offering a budget resolution that is focused on job creation and debt reduction; the two key issues that the American people sent us here to address. This plan is proof that the new majority is heeding the calls of the American people to cut spending.
“The choice before us could not be clearer. President Obama’s spending plan will batter our economy and destroy jobs by adding $9.1 trillion to our national debt over the next ten years and raising taxes by $1.5 trillion. In stark contrast, the Republican plan cuts $6.2 trillion in spending from the President’s budget. The plan intends to fully repeal ObamaCare and cut spending for it. This is what I have been working towards all along.
“I look forward to reviewing this plan further. It is time to put our nation on a sustainable fiscal path.”
Fox News Sunday
On May 1, 2011 Congresswoman Bachmann appeared on Fox News Sunday and spoke about the Paul Ryan Plan. She states that the proposed ideas are goals and not hard and fast deadlines and legislation. She notes that her support for the Ryan plan was given with an asterisk that the cost of health care for seniors may not be shifted so much to seniors.
WALLACE: What do you tell people nearing retirement who say I can’t afford to pay more of my own healthcare costs out of pocket? Which is what the Ryan and Republican Study Committee plans would do.
BACHMANN: And I understand that. I put an asterisks on my support, I put a blog posting up that said just as much. That is my area of concern, I support these bills with that proviso because there are a number of people across the United States who have exactly expressed the fear that you just mentioned. I think that that is what we need to do with Medicare. It isn't that were saying that we don't want people to have that health care, it's "Will there be a better way to fund it?" I think that there is a better way than the way that the federal government currently is funding that program.
Various ideas were put out on the table. Even Paul Ryan said that he was open to tweaking his position that he had staked out. One position that I’m concerned about shifting the cost burden to senior citizens. Seniors are saying, "look, I’m not in a positon to be able to handle that." I also share that real fear, that’s why I put that asterisks out there.
Will there be greater efficiencies? I think so. Will there be choices and options that I think that we should offer people? Absolutely.
In the private sector, I'm a private business person, my husband and I have our own business ... What we try to do is offer better solutions all the time for our customers. The federal government isn't keen on doing that. That's what I think that the ingenuity is behind what Paul Ryan wants to do and behind what the Republican Study Committee wants to do. New and different ideas. And that isn't the be all and end all ... we're only just starting. But with the proviso and the asterisks that I agree with the concern for senior citizens and their fear that they will have to assume the costs themselves.
WALLACE: So you’re not wedded to the idea of a voucher program for Medicare?
BACHMANN: I’m wedded to the idea of efficiencies and cost cuttings and savings in healthcare, but how we get there is open to discussion.
Voting Record
The Paul Ryan Plan
In April of 2011, the House voted on the Paul Ryan plan for the budget. The plan passed 233-193. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Paul Ryan Plan
Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Paul Ryan Plan
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.
