Perriello voted against own earmark
File photo
Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District
Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District, recently issued a news release touting a $500,000 earmark he requested in an appropriations bill for a Halifax County wastewater treatment plant. Perriello, however, voted against that bill in June.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report on the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill Oct. 29 — a bill that included the funding request Perriello made in April. But Perriello was one of 15 Democrats and 163 Republicans to vote against it.
Jessica Barba, Perriello’s press secretary, said he felt that the overall bill would not directly benefit the 5th District, save for the funding request.
“Obviously it’s hard to vote against an appropriations bill,” Barba said. “Even though he’s happy to support the Halifax wastewater plant, overall he felt it was overbloated in spending.”
In an Oct. 29 news release, Perriello praised the $500,000 earmark.
“Upgrading the Maple Avenue plant is critical to economic growth in Halifax County and the creation of new jobs,” Perriello said in the release. “While we are currently working with USDA to secure the additional funds needed, I’m gratified that this $500,000 will provide the first major funding source to get it off the ground.”
Andy Sere, regional spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, criticized Perriello’s vote and subsequent publicity of the earmark as “disingenuous.”
“There’s an inherent contradiction there,” Sere said, “and I would just say that no matter the excuse, it’s simply unacceptable to take credit for an earmark that you voted against, and that’s the issue here.”
The bill, which awaits Senate approval, would appropriate $32.3 billion for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and other related agencies, including the Smithsonian Institution and national endowments for arts and humanities.
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Reader Reactions
Well the win is in the House the you know the party that one the White House. The American Recovery Act not the Pelosi or Obama Bill now you know the name. So a question for yourself what you gonna do now? will you leave America for some say they have no President he’s not theirs Oh or will you quit working or avoid doctor’s? Better yet wait until President Obama and party starighten out all of the last Parties mess because that what you had a party but didn’t clean up so if you don’t know now think about it because change has come to America’‘ Oh don’t forget tp tell Steele that becuase Palin and Bauchman are out riding broom’s.
I agree Perriello did the right thing here. It’s not at all uncommon for Congressman to propose bills or amendments to bills or “earmarks” in the drafting process and then oppose the final bill once it comes out of reconciliation. If Mr. Perriello felt the costs of the bill did not justify the expenditure of taxpayer funds, he had a duty to oppose the bill, which he did. Good for him.
You’re right, no win here.
Give the guy a break, if he had voted for it he would have been criticized, and now because he didn’t he is criticized. No win here. He was for the water plant but as the bill advanced and changed and became more expensive he felt he could not vote for it. So for that he is condemned. I would think people would support him for bucking Pelosi since he is accused of being a clone. Now that he does oh no can’t do that! Jeez, what ya gotta do around here…...
He’s just a politician. Can’t help himself!
Now he can say, “I voted for it before I voted against it.“ Playing both sides of the fence and talking out of both sides of his mouth.
Can we say desperation. Even Mr. P knows his time is short, so he looks like he is joining the republicans; the ones even he knows are so much smarter than his own party.
WAKE UP JP! We are all waiting for your spin on this! And what’s with that way ugly tie?
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