Johnson County Democrats: Leach votes for Bush budget again

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Leach votes for Bush budget again

From: Dave Franker

Leach Votes for Bush Budget -- It Passes 218-214

Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives the George W. Bush FY06 federal budget, a budget that, as you have read at length in the past weeks, guts one progressive Democratic priority after another, was passed -- barely -- 218-214.

30 year Republican Congressman Jim Leach, who has carried Johnson County in each of the last 4 elections, once again (5th time in 5 years) supported the George W. Bush budget and its priorities in a close vote.

Now we must all "fight" for months to change this Bush blueprint for spending. Rep. Leach will doubtless "fight" for one or two minor changes here or there in a federal budget that belies hundreds of Bush priorities, all the while repeating his oft self-proclaimed but meaningless "moderate" mantra.

Mr. Leach will hold a public forum this Monday in Iowa City. Hopefully, he will be challenged on this and other issues, including:

His election campaign support of partially privatizing Social Security ("Leach, Franker Differ on Social Security," Press-Citizen, October 14, 2004), about which he's grown quiet now that the debate rages. Must we wait -- again -- until the issue is decided to hear Leach's "on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand" analysis rather than hearing now, when it matters, where he stands on the issue?

His early March vote for $77 billion more for war -- still with no exit strategy.

His silent acquiesence in Minority Leader Tom DeLay's ethical failures as Leach quietly pursues the House International Relations Committee Chairmanship which Republican Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois relinquishes in November, 2006.

Dave Franker

P.S. I announced at the recent Johnson County Central Committee meeting that I will not be campaigning for the '06 2nd district Democratic Congressional
nomination. I will close the books on my '04 campaign committee on March 31. Any contributions before then to:

Franker for Congress

Box 587

North Liberty, IA 52317

to help erase a small but significant deficit due to final expenditures and employer tax liabilities would be greatly appreciated

- posted by John @ 9:26 AM

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