politics

Herrera Beutler Casts Lone NW Vote Against Spending Agreement

By Jeff Mapes (OPB)
Portland, Oregon Sept. 8, 2017 10:56 p.m.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., was the only Oregon or Washington lawmaker to vote against this week's big spending agreement, which includes money for fighting wildfires.

The Battle Ground lawmaker said she couldn't back the measure — which includes $15 billion in hurricane relief, $100 million for wildfire work and provisions to keep the government operating through Dec. 8 — because it also included an increase in the debt limit.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Related: Wildfire Funding Included In Hurricane Relief Bill Signed By President

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Herrera Beutler said in a statement that she couldn't support raising the limit on how much the government can borrow "without giving a plan as to how we will offset our nation’s growing debt."

"We need to stop the excessive spending on our nation’s credit card, essentially kicking the can down the road to the next generation," she said in a written statement.

Herrera Beutler also voted against increasing the debt limit in 2014 and 2015. She voted for it in 2011 when the increase was also tied to long-term reductions in spending.

In her statement, Herrera Beutler made it clear she didn't want to be seen as voting against aid to hurricane victims. She noted that she voted earlier in the week for a stand-alone bill providing aid for recovery from Hurricane Harvey.

The legislation signed by Trump on Friday was updated this week to include money sought by Northwest lawmakers to provide additional aid to the U.S. Forest Service to fight forest fires raging throughout the West.

The final legislative package was approved on a 316-90 vote in the House, with all of the no votes coming from Republicans. All told, 183 Democrats backed the bill along with 133 Republicans.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: