Posted on 01/30/2009 6:01:59 AM PST by Born Conservative
A failure by House Democratic leaders to allow bipartisan input into an $819 billion economic stimulus proposal was a key reason U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski said he voted against it this week.
Efforts to reach Mr. Kan-jorski, D-11, for comment were unsuccessful, but his office provided a copy of a statement he read on the House floor before the vote.
He said Republicans raise a reasonable objection that they were not fully included as the bill was drafted. Republicans echoed the complaint.
The stimulus bill passed 244-188. The Senate is taking up its version of the bill, and a compromise will be needed before President Barack Obama is asked to sign it.
Rep. Chris Carney, D-10, backed the bill, saying it was flawed but provides real opportunities for economic expansion. All the votes in favor were Democratic, but Mr. Kanjorski and 10 other Democrats voted no.
Mr. Kanjorski also suggested Congress hasnt spent enough time on the bill. He also said the package includes too little for road, bridge and infrastructure repairs and construction, doesnt provide enough help for retired or unemployed Americans, disproportionately favors large urban areas and provides no money for struggling municipalities.
Mr. Carney said the tax credits would benefit 4.4 million Pennsylvanians.
The bill invests significantly in rural broadband development and health care technologies, helps states with much-needed transportation improvements and contains more money for home heating.
Translation: Kanjorski knows the “stimulus” package is just a huge spending bill and doesn’t want the failure of the package to be owned exclusively by Democrats.
Kanjorski is a crook. He probably did not get something he wanted in the bill leading to his vote against it.
If passed in the Senate, this big fat piece of garbage of a Bail Out will be around the neck of the Democrats. Sad to say but i hope this produces landslide (R) victories in many races up for grabs. I think this Dem was bright enough to see that this has disaster written all over it and he wants no part of it.
Agreed! He’s NE Pa’s version of Murtha!
Let me add to that. Kanjorski realizes that being tied to this decreases his chances at a 15th term in the 2010 election.
Bipartisan opposition to this partisan boondoggle spending bill.
Ah, the political worm turns quickly does it not?
Mayor Lou should be representing the district!!!
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