Majority Leader Eric Cantor is having a hard time finding support within his caucus for his no storm aid until there are budget cuts ultimatum. House Republicans from flood-damaged areas are rejecting that position, saying that helping people whose lives have been upended by the storm should take precedent over managing the budget deficit. The reaction is particularly noteworthy because it is coming from members of the House Republican freshman class, a group that swept into office last year on a platform of reducing the federal debt and the size of government.
The debate is a sensitive one for rank-and-file lawmakers, because it forces them to choose between the agenda of a party leader and the immediate needs of their districts.
Gee, it's almost as if they recognize they were elected to represent real people living in their districts, who face real disasters in which government help is necessary. Go figure. Of course, their awakening could have something to do with job number one for just about every member of Congress, being reelected.
Consider freshman Nan Hayworth, who made news last week saying she agreed with Cantor. Hayworth now: "'My priority in the coming weeks will be to see that the Hudson Valley has all the federal resources necessary to recover from Hurricane Irene,' she said. 'I simply won’t let politics get in the way of doing the right thing for our families and communities that have been affected by the disaster.'" So, in this case she won't let politics get in the way, but when it's not going to cause her a problem politically, sure, politics can get in the way of doing the right thing.
