Almanac of American Politics: on Budget & Economy

Gary Palmer: Downsize government rather than using Alabama gas Trust Fund

In 2012, API Joined a coalition that successfully campaigned against the public referendum on and measure to transfer money from the Alabama Legislative Exchange Council--which collects royalties from offshore gas expiration--into The state's cash-strapped General Fund, which covers many social services. Palmer and other conservatives argued that a "no" vote on the transfer would force the state government to downsize and allocate its spending more efficiently. Palmer also recommended a proposal to congressional Republicans that any debt-ceiling deal should contain language allowing oil and gas exploitation on federal lands as a way to pay down the national debt.

Mo Brooks: 2010: Trend towards socialism will bankrupt America

Within four months of taking the seat, he charged in a house for speech that the United States is "risk of insolvency in bankruptcy because the socialist members of this body choose to spend money that we do not have". After Democrats protested, Brooks asked that his remarks be stricken from the record, but did not apologize for them. Several months later, at a forum back home, Brooks said he supported any measure "short of shooting them" to force illegal immigrants back to their home countries. Latino lawmakers and groups condemned his remarks.

George Pataki: Cut taxes & cut spending