King takes heat, defends vote against aid package
By Charlotte Eby Journal Des Moines Bureau| Posted: Saturday, September 10, 2005
DES MOINES -- Democrats are blasting U.S. Rep. Steve King for voting against a $52 billion aid package for victims of hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast.
The Kiron Republican voted against the spending plan Thursday night, complaining he wasn't provided a detailed list of how the money would be spent before the vote. He also questioned the appropriateness of the federal government spending $3.3 billion to purchase 200,000 trailer homes to house hurricane victims with the first wave of money approved by Congress.
"We cannot tolerate the kind of blank check spending without accountability that grows government, that grows taxes, that puts the burden on working people," King said in an interview with the Lee Enterprises Des Moines Bureau Friday.
King was just one of 11 House members voting against the aid package, while 410 voted in favor of it.
Iowa Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson said she was surprised by King's vote.
"I am surrounded by Iowans eager to help those who so desperately need a helping hand. His actions certainly don't reflect the response of the people of our state," said Pederson, who also serves as chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party.
The Washington, D.C.,-based Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted King and called his vote a "stunning abandonment of his fellow Americans."
"Americans from every community in the country have selflessly donated millions of dollars to help those who so desperately need food, water and medical attention. When Congress had its chance to support the effort, Congressman King opposed it," said DCCC spokesman Bill Burton.
King said Friday he expected to be criticized for voting against the aid package.
"It's the minions against fiscal responsibility. I put up a principled vote, and I believe that my vote will be easier to defend every day as the public begins to see where the money is being spent," King said.
He believes Congress should have a greater hand in deciding how the money is used for disaster relief and reconstruction.
King voted for the initial $10.5 billion emergency aid package last week. But he said federal officials should come up with a more comprehensive plan before more spending is approved.
The congressman said he and his wife are "tapping into their kids' inheritance" to help out victims in New Orleans, and is planning to visit the region in the coming days.
"We're actively engaged in this, but that does not mean we don't have fiscal responsibility at the same time," King said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
The Kiron Republican voted against the spending plan Thursday night, complaining he wasn't provided a detailed list of how the money would be spent before the vote. He also questioned the appropriateness of the federal government spending $3.3 billion to purchase 200,000 trailer homes to house hurricane victims with the first wave of money approved by Congress.
"We cannot tolerate the kind of blank check spending without accountability that grows government, that grows taxes, that puts the burden on working people," King said in an interview with the Lee Enterprises Des Moines Bureau Friday.
King was just one of 11 House members voting against the aid package, while 410 voted in favor of it.
Iowa Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson said she was surprised by King's vote.
"I am surrounded by Iowans eager to help those who so desperately need a helping hand. His actions certainly don't reflect the response of the people of our state," said Pederson, who also serves as chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party.
The Washington, D.C.,-based Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted King and called his vote a "stunning abandonment of his fellow Americans."
"Americans from every community in the country have selflessly donated millions of dollars to help those who so desperately need food, water and medical attention. When Congress had its chance to support the effort, Congressman King opposed it," said DCCC spokesman Bill Burton.
King said Friday he expected to be criticized for voting against the aid package.
"It's the minions against fiscal responsibility. I put up a principled vote, and I believe that my vote will be easier to defend every day as the public begins to see where the money is being spent," King said.
He believes Congress should have a greater hand in deciding how the money is used for disaster relief and reconstruction.
King voted for the initial $10.5 billion emergency aid package last week. But he said federal officials should come up with a more comprehensive plan before more spending is approved.
The congressman said he and his wife are "tapping into their kids' inheritance" to help out victims in New Orleans, and is planning to visit the region in the coming days.
"We're actively engaged in this, but that does not mean we don't have fiscal responsibility at the same time," King said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
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