Litmus Test Vote
By Brian on Oct 23, 2005
Tapscott’s Copy Desk has the list of senators who voted for and against the Coburn Amendment. Among others, Richard Burr (R-North Carolin) and Evan Bayh (D-Indiana) voted in favor of it and Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina and Hillary Clinton (D-New York) voted against it. John McCain (R-Arizona) was one of only 3 senators to abstain.
What’s the Coburn Amendment?
This amendment will transfer funding from the wasteful pork project, the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska, to the repair and reconstruction of the “Twin Spans” bridge in Louisiana. According to published reports, the Alaskan pork project costs $220 million for a 5.9-mile bridge connecting Gravina Island (population 50) to the Alaskan mainland. The cost of the bridge alone would be enough to buy every island resident his own personal Lear jet. (source: Daily Kos)
One of many reasons why I hope Bayh pursues and wins the Democratic nomination for President in 2008.
HT: David Boyd
I think that there is more to this story in that "the people" and their
desires should be heard and heeded:
Yesterday Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), good friend of FRC and the family,
proved why he is so popular among the pro-family movement. Senator Coburn
introduced a series of amendments that would have redirected taxpayer funds away
from extraneous pork projects and to efforts to help rebuild areas hit by
Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately for taxpayers, the majority of the Senate
stayed true to their belief that taxpayer’s funds and patience are limitless and
defeated the amendments. The most dramatic moment came when Senator
Coburn tried to divert $453 million for two Alaska bridges that had been tucked
into the recent highway bill. One of the bridges that received $223 million,
called the "Bridge to Nowhere," would connect one small town to a tiny island
with 50 residents (that breaks down to $4.4 million per an islander.) An
informal poll of Alaskan citizens said they would willingly pass on taking the
highway money to instead have it help hurricane victims.
This squared with what I am finding regarding relief efforts. While most
politicians are unwilling to give up taxpayer money, across the USA people are
going the extra mile to help their fellowman. One such example is Pastor
Tommy Tenney and his group GodChasers. Pastor Tenney has organized an effort
called "Adopt a Pastor" to encourage others to help pastors who have been
hardest hit by the hurricanes this year. In addition, I work closely with PRC
Compassion, the pastors’ network that continues to help those dislocated by the
storms.
Tony Rose | Oct 24, 2005 | Reply