PEORIA – Calling from his car after a constituency visit in Peoria Friday afternoon, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) told Illinois Review why he was the only Illinois Republican to vote "no" on the controversial Omnibus spending bill signed into law earlier in the day.
"There were two main reasons I opposed it," LaHood said. "First was process-wise. We had less than twelve hours to review a 2200 page bill, and there was no way we could know what was in it. Communication was lacking, and I couldn't support that.
"Second was the money and what programs the bill funded and didn't fund: I opposed money for Planned Parenthood, sanctuary cities, H2B Visa provisions, and a lack of funding for the wall, glaring things like that," he said. "I ran on those issues and I had to stick with them."
LaHood was hesitant to talk about his vote, not wanting to alienate House colleagues that voted for the measure.
"There was pressure from the leadership to vote for it," he said. "But I really didn't ask others how they were going to vote. I just did what I had to do and voted 'no.'"
The feedback from his 18th CD constituents has been positive, he said. "As I listen to the people in my district, they're happy about the vote."
LaHood said it was different to be on the same side of the issue as four Democrats from Illinois – Bobby Rush, Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez and Jan Schakowsky. "As far as I know, they're mostly upset about DACA not being in the budget. I thought President Trump's offer on DACA was good, but the Democrats didn't like it."
LaHood said that he agreed with the defense spending in the Omnibus package President Trump signed into law Friday.
always a little suspicious of LaHood. But if this is truly an accurate description of why he voted against this bill then I support his position.
Lahood is 100% on target here.
When the commiecrats supported it, you knew it was no good for us
Every republican congressman and senator should have voted against that budget because it includes spending that isn’t authorized by the Constitution. They should eliminate the Departments of Education, HUD, and HHS. Since the federal government would need less money, the same bill should cut tax rates, for all income taxpayers.
No one, who voted for that budget, should be re-elected, in 2018. Republicans, who voted for it, should lose their primaries. Some Republicans, who already won their primaries (especially Rep. Kinzinger, since he’ll easily win) should have conservative write-in opponents.
With special recognition to the ‘Republicans ‘ Mitch
McConnell & Paul Ryan!!!
LaHood was the only IL Republican to vote against this terrible spending bill. Applaud him!
The Omnibus fully funds Planned Parenthood and uses $51M of our tax dollars to fund overseas abortions. If you’re mad at Rauner, you should be just as mad at our congressional Republicans and the President.
– $51m to promote International Family Planning and Reproductive Health
Thank you Darrin LaHood for voting NO on the Omnibus Bill. Ryan,McConnell,Pelosi,and Schumer should all be voted out of office. Only one Republican in the State of Illinois had the guts to do what should have been done. “We The People” elected Donald Trump to “drain the swamp”, and try to fix this country. I haven’t given up on him yet, but it looks like the Republicans just joined the Democrats to let us all know that they really don’t care what we think.