Ruppersberger, Smith Denounce Failure of Deficit Reduction Committee

and his Republican opponent, , agree on at least one thing—sort of.

Both men filed press releases Monday criticizing the Congressional super committee for failing to reach a bipartisan agreement on national deficit reduction. The “failure,” as both men put it, will force drastic cuts across the board, in both domestic and defense spending. 

, however, alleges that his incumbent opponent has been part of the problem.

“Our nation doesn’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem,” Smith said. “It is extremely disappointing that the Super Committee could not find a way to cut down the size of government. We would not be facing such tough choices if our Congressman had not spent recklessly for years.”

Ruppersberger was one of 145 lawmakers of both parties who did in fact call for deeper cuts than the $1.2 trillion mandate.

“I am extremely disheartened that members of the deficit reduction committee could not reach a compromise,” the Baltimore County Democrat said.  “Avoiding responsibility and kicking the can down the road is how the federal government got into such tremendous debt in the first place.

“It will take political courage to make the difficult decisions that will enable our country to live within its means just as American families do everyday,” he continued.

In a release, Smith cites a 2010 report filed by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (a conservative watchdog organization), in which Ruppersberger is deemed “hostile” when it comes to wasteful spending.

“That means [95]% of the time he is voting for more reckless government spending,” the release states.

Jaime Lennon, Rupperberger's press secretary said in response to Smith's assertions, "I expect that over the next 11 months there will be many more politically motivated attacks on sitting lawmakers.

"Congressman Ruppersberger has a long record of fiscal conservatism, most recently using his leadership role to work in a bipartisan way with the Republican Chairman of the Intelligence Committee to slash more than $1 billion from the budget without affecting national security," she continued. "Government must live within its means just like all American families.

Editor's Note: The number 95 was inserted into a quote pulled from a press release filed by Larry Smith because it more accurately reflects the amount found on the CCAGW website.