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Blum Gets an Earful After Calling for D.C. Recession

Critics question Iowa Republican's call for economic suffering

Rob Blum called for Washington to endure a recession. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Rob Blum called for Washington to endure a recession. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Iowa Republican Rep. Rob Blum’s wish that the nation’s capital city suffer a recession has set off a backlash from residents, workers and in particular, a potential Democratic opponent.  

The Iowa City Building Trades Council said Blum’s wish was “out of touch.”  

Jerry Hobart, business manager of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 125 said, “Rod Blum further clarified how little he understands about working people. Cranes are operated by workers. Walls of buildings are constructed by workers. New construction creates service jobs for workers. I would be happy to give Rod Blum an Economics 101 lesson, but it seems more appropriate that he take a class in Common Sense 101.”  

The backlash on Twitter included blaming him for the reasons Americans don’t approve of Congress and questioning why anyone would call for a recession.  

In October, Blum also tweeted about the cranes he saw in Washington, and called for an economic slowdown then, too: “we need to cause a recession… in Washington DC.”  

Blum was first elected in 2014 and his priorities in his firm term in office included reducing government spending. He is running for re-election against the winner of the June Democratic primary between Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon and former Iowa state Rep. Patrick Murphy. The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call rates the race Tilts Democratic .  


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