Does Senator Sasse Still Think Trump’s Extreme Fed Board Pick Is a “Sunny Optimist and a Thoughtful Economist”?

April 23, 2019

Will Sen. Sasse Rubber-Stamp Stephen Moore Despite His History of Urging Kids to Burn Their Social Security Cards and Degrading Women?

Moore Claims “Not a Single [Senate] Republican” Opposes His Potential Nomination

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last March, President Trump tapped Stephen Moore, a self-described “radical” who’s not a “big believer in democracy,” to serve a 14-year term overseeing the nation’s monetary policy on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Moore made a name for himself as a conservative commentator and frequent cable news guest who pushes fringe right-wing ideas like dismantling Social Security because in his words: “We’ve probably gone too far in providing a safety net for the elderly.” Moore’s troubling history of trafficking in misogyny and sexism has also come to public light in recent days. Yet, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) is poised to approve having those views on the Fed board where Moore would have influence over decisions that impact millions of Americans.

Moore boasted last week that the White House told him not a single Republican Senator is opposing his nomination. While many Republican Senators have not publicly weighed in, Ben Sasse was quick to announce his support for Moore’s potential nomination in March, describing him as “a sunny optimist and a thoughtful economist.’

“Much has come to light since March about Stephen Moore’s history of degrading women, dissing democracy, and disparaging the elderly, but Senator Sasse’s support has remained steady,” said Kyle Herrig, senior adviser for consumer watchdog group Allied Progress. “If Senator Sasse still believes someone who egged on a roomful of kids to burn their Social Security cards is a serious and rational choice for the Fed, it’s time to question his own judgement.”  

BACKGROUND: If Senator Sasse Plans to Rubber-Stamp Moore for the Fed, Does He Agree With Some, Most or All Of Moore’s Extreme Views?:

• Moore Urged Kids to Burn Up Their Social Security Cards in Support of Privatization

• Moore on Social Security: “We’ve probably gone too far in providing a safety net for the elderly”, “Essentially was a Ponzi scheme”

• Moore wrote: “Capitalism is a lot more important than democracy … I’m not even a big believer in democracy.”

• Moore said women should be banned from refereeing or announcing at men’s college basketball games, asked if there was any area in life “where men can take vacation from women.”

• Moore Wrote That White Males Were The “New Oppressed Minority On College Campuses” And That If Women “Were So Oppressed And Offended,” They Wouldn’t Show Up “In Droves In Tight Skirts To The Keg Parties.”

• Moore Has Repeatedly Called for Scrapping the Federal Reserve in Favor of a Return to the Gold Standard, an Idea Resoundingly Rejected by Republicans and Democrats Alike in the Economist Community

• Moore Has Advocated For a Regressive National Sales Tax That Would Be a Massive Tax Cut for Millionaires While Increasing The Tax Burdens of Low- And Middle-Income Taxpayers

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