Here is
The Hill's story on the Democrats who missed a series of very important votes on the Budget last week.
Seven House Democrats skipped town before the major budget vote last Thursday, infuriating some of their colleagues and giving a handful of vulnerable Republicans a virtual hall pass to vote against their party.
As the whereabouts of two or three truant Democrats were unknown for the 8:30 vote on the House-Senate budget resolution, Democratic Party leaders were disappointed that lawmakers would put their political and parochial interests ahead of the party's plan to force vulnerable Republicans to vote for a budget that Democrats insist will be difficult to defend in swing districts.
There needs to be repercusions for these folks. By missing the vote they avoided putting more pressure on Republican members who are facing tough reelection bids.
It isn't so much the missing. Many ask and get permission from the leadership to miss votes. But in this case, there was some down right weazle activity on the part of two members.
Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Harold Ford (D-Tenn.), William Jefferson (D-La.) Steven Rothman (D-N.J.) and Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) all missed the evening vote. All but Ford and Rothman had cast votes earlier last Thursday morning.
There he is again. Harold Ford. Someone please tell me again why this should be our Senate candidate for Tenn. again?
Clearly there need to be costs. The leadership can not impose those costs if we do not take an active part in punishing those members who go out of their way to leave the Democrats hanging on key pieces of legislation and actions.
Let these guys know what you think of their activities last week:
Harold Ford
Washington, D.C.
P:(202) 225-3265
F: (202) 225-5663
325 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Memphis
Downtown Office
P:(901) 544-4131
F:(901) 544-4329
The Federal Building
167 North Main, Suite #369
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
East Memphis
P: (901) 766-8121
F: (901) 766-8124
775 East Ridge Lake Boulevard
Suite 155
Memphis, Tennessee 38120
Steven Rothman
Washington, DC
P: (202)225-5061
F: (202) 225-5851
2303 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Hackensack, NJ
P: (201) 646-0808
F: (201) 646-1944
25 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Jersey City, NJ
P: (201) 798-1366
F: (201) 798-1725
130 Central Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07306