On the night of Thursday November 17th, Congressman Steve LaTourette flip-flopped on an important budget vote. He promised his constituents that he'd vote against the bill, and in fact vote against it before caving to Republican leadership and voting for it. The budget cuts important services for the poor right in time for Christmas.
What was LaTourette thinking?
WCPN, Cleveland's NPR affiliate, interviewed LaTourette on the night of the vote. WCPN explains:
"Around 1:15 am Friday, LaTourette voted against the legislation.
Correspondent Chad Pergram interviewed LaTourette shortly after his no
vote...
'I voted no because in my district people understand the need for tax relief because it's growing the economy, but they don't understand why when we achieve savings, it comes from programs that help people who are disadvantaged.'
But the GOP leadership desperately needed LaTourette's help to pass this
controversial measure at the last minute. So LaTourette caved. And at 1:55
am, Pergram again interviewed LaTourette to find out how Republican leaders
cajoled the Congressman to change his vote.
'The Speaker of the House and the leadership of the House came and indicated that we're a majority. We need to govern and that in order to govern you need to move a package out of the House. To do nothing and not get it over to the Senate I think would not be discharging my responsibility.' "
Later LaTourette admits:
"It's still not right for the district... It's not right..."
How did LaTourette think his district would react?
"Well, Chardon's under 12 inches of snow so they're really not worried what happened here tonight."
Hear the full interview here.
In the end, LaTourette felt that it would not be responsible to vote against this bill. LaTourette needs a wake up call. Our Congressman should be responsive to the needs of his constituents not to the needs of the Republican majority.
Kudos to local activist Susan Lambert who forwarded us the link. If you have information you'd like to share, please send us an email at Doug@LakeDems.com.
