UPDATE: Congressman Randy Hultgren has commented on his vote. See below the fold.
WASHINGTON – Concerned about another suspension of the nation's debt ceiling, three Republican U.S. Congress members from Illinois opposed a federal measure Friday that will also provide hurricane relief for victims in Houston.
Congressmen Peter Roskam, Randy Hultgren and Darin LaHood were among the 90 Republicans that voted no.
Roskam sent out a statement saying he had supported a stand alone assistance for hurricane victims earlier in the week.
“I wholeheartedly support the hurricane relief provisions, which is why I voted for the standalone relief package earlier this week, but I voted against the legislation today that included a debt limit increase because it does not provide needed reforms,” Roskam said.
Congressman Randy Hultgren said he couldn't vote for an extension of the debt limit and was "disappointed" with the disaster relief package being added to the bill the House passed Friday.
“Earlier this week, I supported a bipartisan disaster relief bill in the House to provide much needed help to those devastated by Hurricane Harvey and elsewhere,” said Rep. Hultgren. “This is why I was extremely disappointed when the Senate loaded the House-passed disaster relief package and sent it back to us with extraneous provisions, such as an extension of the debt limit and circumventing regular order of the appropriations process. Such add-ons detract from what should be the overriding priority of providing disaster assistance to those who so badly need it right now, and ‘kicks the can down the road’ on the critical fiscal issues we need to confront. As an elected official, I take my responsibility very seriously to provide oversight on how precious taxpayer dollars are spent.”
“I experienced firsthand the immeasurable damage flooding caused to the communities in my district in Lake and McHenry Counties. We as a nation must work together to assist one another during these disastrous events, which is why I supported the House disaster relief bill,” said Rep. Hultgren. “As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I pushed for the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program is a source of support for Americans trying to get back on their feet after devastating natural catastrophes.”
“I am thankful those in greatest need of help will get it, but I could not support a funding bill that leverages Americans devastated by natural disasters while it ignores and even exacerbates our dire fiscal condition, jeopardizing the well-being of our children and future generations of Americans.”
Other comments from Congress members will be added as Illinois Review receives them.
