In GOP radio address, Heller slams Obama economic policies

WASHINGTON -- Delivering the Republican weekly radio address, U.S. Sen. Dean Heller today criticized President Barack Obama for supporting policies Heller said are preventing economic growth.

"Out-of-control spending, a health care law that no one can afford and a seemingly endless stream of regulations are crippling employers, stifling economic growth and killing jobs," said Heller, R-Nev., in a prerecorded address to the nation.

Republican leaders tapped Heller to deliver the address focused on the economy because Nevada is in such bad shape. The recession is front and center in the state, where unemployment is highest in the nation at 12.9 percent, according to figures released last week.

The address also gives Heller an opportunity to reach a national audience on a central issue of the 2012 Senate race between him and U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. Heller was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to fill the seat vacated by Sen. John Ensign, who resigned in disgrace.

"No state has been hit harder than Nevada," Heller said. "My state has the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in unemployment, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. There is no question that the status quo of dysfunctional government must end. People from all over the country are struggling just to get by and are desperate for real solutions."

Obama focused his weekly radio address on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He is expected to unveil a jobs initiative in a speech to be delivered after Labor Day.

The new plan probably will feature additional tax credits to spur hiring and jobs-boosting infrastructure ideas. Also, Obama is expected to seek extensions of expiring unemployment benefits and payroll tax cuts, The Associated Press has reported.

In his address, Heller argued instead for action on policies that the GOP has championed, including repeal of last year's health care overhaul legislation.

"Let's pass a balanced budget amendment to force the federal government to live within its means, repeal the president's small-business-killing health care law, open up our country to energy exploration, and reverse the regulations that are tying the hands of entrepreneurs across America," he said.

None of the GOP proposals is likely to clear the Senate, where Democrats hold a 53-47 majority this year but Republicans are hoping to gain the majority in 2012. A key to that would be holding Heller's seat .

The Rothenberg Political Report and the Cook Political Report have listed the Heller-Berkley contest as a tossup.

Berkley last week launched a "focus on jobs" tour across Nevada by contending that Heller was not concerned with jobs but focused instead on "ending Medicare," protecting big oil companies and corporate tax breaks.

Heller answered the criticism in today's address .

"Let's stop the lies about who wants to end Medicare or eliminate Social Security and fix both programs now," he said. "If some in Washington would stop campaigning long enough to do their jobs, we could fix both and ensure their existence for generations to come."