There's a lot of news out of NYC today but I want to get to this first. This morning I found the following email from my Congressman, Michael Grimm (NY CD-11) in my mailbox:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the federal government shutdown. It's good to hear from you.
Over the past week I have voted consistently for legislation brought to the floor of the House of Representatives to keep our government running and avoid the shutdown. Through the entire process, I have condemned the bitter and partisan rhetoric coming from both sides of the aisle, and from the start I have advocated for a compromise solution that would keep the government from shutting down.
To be clear, I do not support a government shutdown, no matter what the objective is. While I have consistently stated my opposition to Obamacare, I do not believe that shutting down the government and abandoning vital public services is an acceptable way to address issues of policy. It is unconscionable to do this at the expense of seniors, military service members, and other federal workers and ordinary civilians dependant on the continued functioning of our government. I have heard from many constituents in the past week, and I truly understand the pain that this gridlock is causing across our district and the entire country.
Rest assured that I, like you, know we must end this shutdown immediately. That is why I am one of three Republicans leading the effort to strongly urge my leadership to reach a compromise while garnering support from other pragmatic members to bolster our position and end this shutdown. I invite you to follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/repmichaelgrimm and Twitter @repmichaelgrimm or visit my website at www.grimm.house.gov. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Congressman Michael Grimm
More below the fold
Problem is he voted for the shutdown per Mega Vote:
Continuing Resolution – Defunding of the Affordable Care Act Amendment - Vote Passed (231-192, 8 Not Voting)
The second amendment, sponsored by Republican Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, would reinstate the House language eliminated in the Senate bill to remove funding for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Only 2 Democrats (Jim Matheson of Utah and Mike McIntyre of North Carolina) and 2 New York Republicans (Chris Gibson and Richard Hanna) crossed party lines to vote in favor of or against the amendment, respectively.
Rep. Michael Grimm voted YES
Health Care Subsidy - Vote Passed (235-191, 6 Not Voting)
Returning last week from the August recess, the House passed a bill that would block premium and cost-sharing subsidies under the 2010 health care reform law until a program to verify household income and other qualifications for the subsidies is certified as operational. Only five Democrats joined the entire Republican caucus to vote in favor of the legislation sponsored by Tennessee Republican Diane Black. The Senate is unlikely to vote on the bill, and the White House administration has already vowed to veto it.
Rep. Michael Grimm voted YES
http://fw.to/...
Staten Island’s Grimm joins ‘lockstep’ Tea vote
Rep. Michael Grimm voted with the Tea Party for a bill that pushed the federal government toward shutdown, a move Democrats hope to hang around his neck in his 2014 reelection bid.
As the House voted repeatedly Monday to attach an Obamacare delay to government funding bills, Grimm (R-Staten Island) and other Republicans from moderate districts, clearly uneasy, voted with their party leaders — but blasted Tea Party conservatives for forcing the showdown.
Additionally, on 2 other bills he didn't even bother to vote:
Employer Health Insurance Mandate Delay – Passage - Vote Passed (264-161, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would delay a requirement from the 2010 health care overhaul for one year until the start of 2015. The requirement would mandate businesses with at least 50 full-time employees provide health insurance to their workers or pay a penalty. Morgan Griffith of Virginia was the only Republican to vote against the bill.
Rep. Michael Grimm voted Not Voting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Health Insurance Mandate Delay – Passage - Vote Passed (251-174, 8 Not Voting)
After postponing the employer insurance mandate, the House moved a bill to postpone the same requirement of most individuals to maintain health insurance coverage or pay a penalty until the beginning of 2015. Once again, Griffith of Virginia was the only Republican to vote against the bill. Both the employer and individual mandate delays are unlikely to receive a vote in the Senate.
Rep. Michael Grimm voted Not Voting
Grimm has a Democrat opposing him named Dominic Recchia. Although Recchia wouldn't be my supreme choice to go against Grimm because he lives on the Brooklyn side of the District which is about 25% and the Staten Island side is 75% he's gone after Grimm for his vote against ACA/Obamacare:
http://brooklyneagle.com/...
I'm calling out Grimm on his votes and this letter and hope you will also. Additionally, when I called his office earlier this week I was told that the "people" don't want ACA/Obamacare and when I pointed out that the law was passed by the House, Senate, upheld by the Supreme Court and President Obama won re-election by 5 million votes against Romney who ran based on Obamacare/ACA he told me "those things don't make a difference, the people don't want it." Maybe Congressman Grimm should talk to his staff and let them know that he's in favor of this.