The saga continues.
After Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Lehigh) failed to gather support for a clean continuing resolution (CR) among his fellow Republicans, the government shut down. Now, four more Republican congressmen from Pennsylvania have said they support a clean CR to get the government running again.
According to a list compiled by the Washington Post, Reps. Pat Meehan (R-Delaware), Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks), and Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne) have all voiced support for a clean CR, one that does not attempt to limit or delay the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Chester) joined them Thursday morning, bringing the Pa. total to five and the national total to 13.
“I came to Washington to fix government, not shut it down. At this point, I believe it’s time for the House to vote for a clean, short-term funding bill to bring the Senate to the table and negotiate a responsible compromise,” Meehan said in a Wednesday press release.
Echoed Gerlach on Wednesday, “It is time for Congress to vote on a budget bill that gets the government back to work providing all of the services already paid for by the hard-working taxpayers in my District and across the country. If a bill comes to the floor to accomplish that goal, I will vote for it.”
Gerlach said his constituent correspondence since the shutdown began Tuesday has gone 89% in favor of reopening the government, while just 10% have told him to stay the course.
Neither Barletta nor Fitzpatrick indicated their support for a CR in a press release.
What is not clear is whether the three are merely expressing verbal support for a clean CR, or whether they will back up that positions by voting against the GOP on non-clean resolutions, as Dent has done.
A spokesman for Meehan did not respond to a request for clarification.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has kept up a steady drumbeat against Fitzpatrick and Meehan, considered the two most vulnerable incumbents in Pa.
“The people of Pennsylvania have had enough of Congressman Meehan’s reckless delays and irresponsible extortion that are now hurting middle class families and our economy,” said Emily Bittner of the DCCC.
Still claiming support for a CR containing provisions for the defunding or delay of Obamacare, which went into effect yesterday, are Pennsylvania’s remaining eight Republican representatives from various locations across the state.
After the House and Senate failed to meet to establish a compromise, the House began to attempt to address the budget piece by piece, an effort that failed when rejected by U.S. Senate Democrats three times.
As the country enters its second day of shutdown, it is yet to be seen whether or not more Republicans will announce support for a clean CR, or whether the debate will continue on.
Keegan Gibson contributed to this report.
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8 Responses
My comment elsewhere…
http://
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2013/10/03/rinos-pennsylvania-new-jersey-government-shutdown/
…is apropos here:
I have been remitting e-mail to Larry regarding this issue for a few days, and excerpts therefrom will undoubtedly seep into this comment.
First, efforts are being made to encourage Mike to clarify whatever was quoted in the Inqy, because the Inqy-author hasn’t called-back, so as to clarify what precisely was said [and by whom, etc.].
Second, it is untrue that “glaring hypocrisy [occurred when the GOP-House] voted three times to support the shutdown,” for they voted to defund ObamaCare [in myriad ways]; the assumption that “blame” rests with the R’s is debunked when it is noted that the R’s have voted to fund numerous facets of government…only to be met by a brick-wall in the Senate [as Reid is as dismissive regarding NIH research as was Sebelius regarding pediatric lung transplants]…and by the POTUS [noting his veto-threat].
Third, it will be instructive to note whether the polling evolves, as the horrors of the shutdown/slowdown are as empty [despite the best efforts of the Dems] as were the effects [long-term and short-term] of the Sequester; indeed, as “glitches” persist when people attempt to register with ObamaCare and become even more educated as to its intrusion upon personal liberty [and potential to destroy unionization], perhaps it will dawn on people that this level of resolute statism violates the fundamentals of American political history.
Fourth, whereas KK was clear, the Independence Hall Foundation [manifest here as a quote from one of the Adams-Siblings] keeps trying to stay “friends” with the incumbents and…in the process…distances itself from fundamental principles promulgated by the TEA [Taxed Enough Already] Party Movement.
Fifth, this physician has clamored for TWO MONTHS for the strategic sequential passage of funding legislation [having talked to everyone who would maintain eye-contact for thirty-seconds, and e-mailing anyone else who would deign to provide one], thereby demonstrating that the R’s do not wish a shutdown; indeed, this has [finally] presented the Dems with a Hobson’s Choice, for they must either fund government [via legislation originating in the House, as per Article I Section 7] or appear insensitive/foolish while remaining intransigent. FOR EXAMPLE, the decision to allow WW-II vets to visit the memorial FORGETS the fact that many of these individuals would want to educate their offspring regarding what happened!
If anyone has any questions as to why this physician has adopted this posture, please do not hesitate to contact me [rsklaroff@ gmail.com].
My comment elsewhere…
http://
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2013/10/03/rinos-pennsylvania-new-jersey-government-shutdown/
…is apropos here:
I have been remitting e-mail to Larry regarding this issue for a few days, and excerpts therefrom will undoubtedly seep into this comment.
First, efforts are being made to encourage Mike to clarify whatever was quoted in the Inqy, because the Inqy-author hasn’t called-back, so as to clarify what precisely was said [and by whom, etc.].
Second, it is untrue that “glaring hypocrisy [occurred when the GOP-House] voted three times to support the shutdown,” for they voted to defund ObamaCare [in myriad ways]; the assumption that “blame” rests with the R’s is debunked when it is noted that the R’s have voted to fund numerous facets of government…only to be met by a brick-wall in the Senate [as Reid is as dismissive regarding NIH research as was Sebelius regarding pediatric lung transplants]…and by the POTUS [noting his veto-threat].
Third, it will be instructive to note whether the polling evolves, as the horrors of the shutdown/slowdown are as empty [despite the best efforts of the Dems] as were the effects [long-term and short-term] of the Sequester; indeed, as “glitches” persist when people attempt to register with ObamaCare and become even more educated as to its intrusion upon personal liberty [and potential to destroy unionization], perhaps it will dawn on people that this level of resolute statism violates the fundamentals of American political history.
Fourth, whereas KK was clear, the Independence Hall Foundation [manifest here as a quote from one of the Adams-Siblings] keeps trying to stay “friends” with the incumbents and…in the process…distances itself from fundamental principles promulgated by the TEA [Taxed Enough Already] Party Movement.
Fifth, this physician has clamored for TWO MONTHS for the strategic sequential passage of funding legislation [having talked to everyone who would maintain eye-contact for thirty-seconds, and e-mailing anyone else who would deign to provide one], thereby demonstrating that the R’s do not wish a shutdown; indeed, this has [finally] presented the Dems with a Hobson’s Choice, for they must either fund government [via legislation originating in the House, as per Article I Section 7] or appear insensitive/foolish while remaining intransigent. FOR EXAMPLE, the decision to allow WW-II vets to visit the memorial FORGETS the fact that many of these individuals would want to educate their offspring regarding what happened!
If anyone has any questions as to why this physician has adopted this posture, please do not hesitate to contact me [rsklaroff@ gmail.com].
Thirteen of the 18 members of the PA Congressional delegation are Republicans. It’s great that 5 of the 13 (38%) of these Representatives (36% if you also count Senator Patrick Toomey, who also voted to shut down the government) have seen the light in this hostage-holding of the federal government. But why not the rest of them? I believe all of us across the state should contact Senator Toomey ((202) 224-4254) and, if you live in their district, the following additional Republican legislators and tell them to vote for and pass a clean CR right NOW!
Mike Kelly (R-3) 202-225-5406
Scott Perry (R-4) 202-225-5836
Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-5) 202-225-5121
Bill Shuster (R-9) 202-225-2431
Tom Marino (R-10) 202-225-3731
Keith Rothfus (R-12) 202-225-6511
Joseph Pitts (R-16) 202-225-2411
Timothy Murphy (R-18) 202-225-2301
I think in the game of Poker, this would be called “folding”.
Pat and the rest of the GOP simply didn’t have the cards but went “all-in” anyway, and Obama called their bluff.
With the number 1 employer in Pennsylvania listed as the Federal Government, no one should be surprised by this capitulation. It was the Tea Party who brought most of these guys to the dance. I think they are less doubtful that the Tea Party will be able to take them home.
Serious correction…
Meehan is not vulnerable. The way his district was gerrymandered makes it almost impossible for him to lose.
There’s a difference between supporting a clean CR and bringing about the circumstances to make it happen.
Good on these Congressmen for supporting an end to this needless shutdown, but until one of them files a discharge petition to go around the back of Speaker Boehner and bring something to the floor, none of them are particularly profiles in courage.
Pat Meehan probably just realized that lots of people in his district are accessing the Affordable Care Act and are gravely affected by the government shutdown. The idiot should have thought about it beforehand and voted his district then…doing it not just exposes him for what he is…spineless and lacking conviction and principles, and not a good representative. You cannot serve two masters, Pat – the teabaggers and your constituents. You cannot have it both ways, Pat – being for the government shutdown unless the government denies helathcare benefits under the ACA before you were against it. Pat Meehan is an empty suit. Wish Delco Dems had a real candidate to run …but the great leadership of that bunch will prop up another loser like Badey and miss another opportunity.