By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Monday sought to capitalize on the widespread national attention on the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

In a hard-hitting press release yesterday afternoon, the DCCC accused U.S. Representatives Lou Barletta, Charlie Dent, Mike Fitzpatrick, Jim Gerlach, Tom Marino and Pat Meehan of supporting funding cuts to the National Weather Service and the Tsunami Warning Center, agencies charged with issuing natural disaster warnings.

Is it an honest critique of the GOP’s proposed spending cuts, or is it score points on human suffering? It depends on who you ask.

The DCCC cites their votes in favor of the House GOP’s continuing resolution at the end of February.

“Everyone knows that the government needs to cut spending, but this tsunami serves as an tragic reminder that Representative [Insert swing district Republican] and House Republicans made the wrong budget choices that can have real consequences for Pennsylvania families,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republican widely criticized the attack as political profiteering on a tragedy.

“For Washington Democrats to try and exploit such a horrific and catastrophic disaster while so many are still in need of assistance is politics at its worst,” responded NRCC spokesman Tory Mazzola. “It’s an insincere and dirty tactic that proves just how desperate and partisan Democrats have become.  From a party committed to change, this is sadly reminiscent of Rahm Emanuel’s strategy of not letting a serious crisis ‘go to waste.’”