Tea Party Ideology Outweighs Compassion, Sense of Duty for Michigan Republicans
LANSING — By a 241-180 vote, the U.S. House last night approved a $50 billion aid package for Hurricane Sandy — but every single Michigan Republican rejected relief for victims of the October 2012 storm.
“The Tea Party has so completely taken over the Republican Party here in Michigan that our Republican members of Congress are afraid to vote in favor of emergency disaster relief,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “I truly pray that Michigan does not face a similar disaster in this Congress, or it could be difficult for the Republicans in our delegation to persuade their colleagues to help us in our hour of need.”
U.S. Representatives Justin Amash (MI-3), Dan Benishek (MI-1), Kerry Bentivolio (MI-11), Dave Camp (MI-4), Bill Huizenga (MI-2), Candace Miller (MI-10), Mike Rogers (MI-8), Fred Upton (MI-6), and Tim Walberg (MI-7) all voted against H.R. 152.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been harsh in his criticism of fellow Republicans that have delayed relief for Hurricane Sandy victims, saying in his State of the State address, “We have waited 72 days, seven times longer than victims of Hurricane Katrina waited. One thing I hope everyone now clearly understands — New Jersey, both Republicans and Democrats, will never stand silent when our citizens are being shortchanged.”
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