Reply #2: DeFazio voting with Repugs?!!? Are you insane?? [View All]

[jannyk]

DeFazio votes against these bills, or abstains, because they do not do enough for the American 'People' and too much for Corporations. He votes his conscience, and for that he will win our votes for as long as he runs.

From Wikipedia:

"DeFazio is the most liberal member of the Oregon delegation. For instance, he voted against the Telecommunications Act of 1996--one of only 16 congressmen to do so. DeFazio particularly objected to a provision that deregulated the cable television industry. According to DeFazio, many of his fellow Democrats later realized "they were idiots" for backing the bill. He was also the only Oregonian who opposed NAFTA and GATT.<2> He is a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and was its chairman from 2003 to 2005."

"DeFazio made headlines in mid-November 2009 when he suggested, in an interview with liberal MSNBC commentator Ed Schultz, that President Obama should fire Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers. "We may have to sacrifice just two more jobs to get back millions for Americans," said DeFazio.<13> The quote made top headlines at progressive news blog The Huffington Post.<14> DeFazio also suggested that a formal call by the Congressional Progressive Caucus for Geithner and Summers to be removed might be forthcoming."

"Somewhat controversially, DeFazio declined to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, voting against the final stimulus package on February 13, 2009. He was one of only nine House Democrats to not vote "yea" on the bill, and one of only seven to vote "nay".<8> DeFazio said that his vote against the bill was due to his frustration over compromises made to win support from moderate Republicans in the Senate, saying, "I couldn't justify borrowing money for tax cuts," in reference to a bipartisan group's decision to cut funding for education and infrastructure initiatives the Oregon congressman had supported in favor of more tax reductions.<9> He also advocated that the U.S. Senate change its cloture rules, doing away with the filibuster that, in the current 59–40 Democratic majority, gives Republicans the ability to block legislation from coming to a vote.<10>"