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Nooga.com - Fleischmann Votes in Favor of Continuing Resolution, DesJarlais Holds Back

Statement

Date: Sept. 22, 2011
Location: Chatanooga, TN
Issues: National Security Infrastructure Government Budget and Spending

By James Harrison

Despite a vote of no confidence by 48 of his fellow fiscally conservative Republican House members, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann decided to support a continuing resolution to provide funding for the federal government on Wednesday.

The resolution, which was denied in a 195-230 vote, would have also provided continued funding for victims of recent natural disasters through FEMA--the driving reason behind Fleischmann's support, according to his spokesperson.

"Chuck has said from the beginning that continuing resolutions were no way to govern," Jordan Powell, press secretary for Fleischmann, said. "But he also believed that the people of the 3rd District needed to be taken care of and that FEMA needed to be funded to continue assisting people who were hit by the tornadoes in Hamilton and Bradley County this spring."

Many House Democrats voted against the resolution out of concern that it did not provide enough funding--only $3.65 billion--for FEMA recipients still recovering from tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and wildfires across the country.

Meanwhile, Rep. Scott DesJarlais voted against the measure, saying it exceeded parameters set for discretionary spending caps put forth in Paul Ryan's long-term budget plan. The Ryan budget--which aimed to eliminate up to $6 trillion from the federal budget--was shot down in a Senate vote last spring.

"By failing to honor the spending levels set forth in the Ryan Budget, we are sending a clear message that Washington continues to be unwilling to get serious when it comes to federal spending," DesJarlais said in an emailed statement. "This will only further degrade the private sector's confidence on our economic outlook and prevent small businesses from creating badly needed jobs. My constituents expect more."

With another potential government shutdown looming, lawmakers are facing a deadline of Sept. 30 to come to an agreement to temporarily continue funding the government.


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