Flippers
February 13, 2009
| 2:54 PM
Five conservative Democrats, most are members of the Blue Dog Coalition, flipped their votes today to support the $787B stimulus package backed by party leadership and Pres. Obama. The members opposed the proposal during a preliminary vote late last month.
Changing their votes were: Allen Boyd (D-FL); Brad Ellsworth (D-IN); Paul Kanjorski (D-PA); Jim Cooper (D-TN); and Frank Kratovil (D-MD).
Note that Obama visited Boyd's district this week -- and he and Ellsworth flew on Air Force One with the president.
Ellsworth said today that he opposed the original version of the bill because it "contained far too many provisions that would have provided little to no economic stimulus." The conference committee, he said in a statement, "made great strides to direct funds toward putting Americans back to work and strengthening our long-term capacity for economic growth." And he called the bill "vastly improved," adding that it will create 75,000 jobs in Indiana.
"As I was making this decision, I thought about the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and their homes, and the millions more who are worried about pink slips and foreclosure notices," Ellsworth said. "The retirees who called my office after seeing their life savings disappear overnight. The parents who lie awake wondering how they'll ever provide for their children and save for college too. They are depending on us; not to do everything, but to do something to start to turn things around."
Cooper, meanwhile, described the bill as "more targeted" and "closer to the president's original request."
"Congress has a lot to learn from President Obama about transparency, accountability, and bipartisanship, but this is a vote to keep that dialog open," Cooper said in a statement. "We have even bigger challenges ahead of us, and we have to build trust and legislative capacity as soon as possible."
Seven Democrats opposed both versions of the bill: Reps. Bobby Bright (D-AL); Parker Griffith (D-AL); Walter Minnick (D-ID); Collin Peterson (D-MN); Gene Taylor (D-MS); and Heath Shuler (D-NC). Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), who backed the initial bill, voted against the final version.
Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) was the only member today to vote 'present.'
The bill was passed 246-183 with no Republican support. A Senate vote is expected this evening.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Changing their votes were: Allen Boyd (D-FL); Brad Ellsworth (D-IN); Paul Kanjorski (D-PA); Jim Cooper (D-TN); and Frank Kratovil (D-MD).
Note that Obama visited Boyd's district this week -- and he and Ellsworth flew on Air Force One with the president.
Ellsworth said today that he opposed the original version of the bill because it "contained far too many provisions that would have provided little to no economic stimulus." The conference committee, he said in a statement, "made great strides to direct funds toward putting Americans back to work and strengthening our long-term capacity for economic growth." And he called the bill "vastly improved," adding that it will create 75,000 jobs in Indiana.
"As I was making this decision, I thought about the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and their homes, and the millions more who are worried about pink slips and foreclosure notices," Ellsworth said. "The retirees who called my office after seeing their life savings disappear overnight. The parents who lie awake wondering how they'll ever provide for their children and save for college too. They are depending on us; not to do everything, but to do something to start to turn things around."
Cooper, meanwhile, described the bill as "more targeted" and "closer to the president's original request."
"Congress has a lot to learn from President Obama about transparency, accountability, and bipartisanship, but this is a vote to keep that dialog open," Cooper said in a statement. "We have even bigger challenges ahead of us, and we have to build trust and legislative capacity as soon as possible."
Seven Democrats opposed both versions of the bill: Reps. Bobby Bright (D-AL); Parker Griffith (D-AL); Walter Minnick (D-ID); Collin Peterson (D-MN); Gene Taylor (D-MS); and Heath Shuler (D-NC). Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), who backed the initial bill, voted against the final version.
Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) was the only member today to vote 'present.'
The bill was passed 246-183 with no Republican support. A Senate vote is expected this evening.
DISTRICT | HOUSE VERSION | FINAL VERSION | BLUE DOG? | 2008 WIN % | MEDIAN HH INCOME | |
| Allan Boyd | Fla.-02 | N | Y | Y | 61.9 | 46,195 |
| Bobby Bright | Ala.-02 | N | N | N | 50.2 | 37,289 |
| Jim Cooper | Tenn.-02 | N | Y | Y | 65.8 | 46,861 |
| Peter DeFazio | Ore.-04 | Y | N | N | 82.3 | 41,714 |
| Brad Ellsworth | Ind.-08 | N | Y | Y | 64.7 | 43,252 |
| Parker Griffith | Ala.-05 | N | N | N | 51.5 | 43,832 |
| Paul Kanjorski | Penn.-11 | N | Y | N | 51.6 | 44,345 |
| Frank Kratovil | Md.-01 | N | Y | N | 49.1 | 66,802 |
| Walt Minnick | Idaho-01 | N | N | N | 50.6 | 47,595 |
| Collin Peterson | Minn.-07 | N | N | Y | 72.2 | 44,311 |
| Heath Shuler | N.C.-11 | N | N | Y | 62 | 41,103 |
| Gene Taylor | Miss.-04 | N | N | Y | 74.5 | 38,800 |
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
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