GARRETT VOTES AGAINST KATRINA VICTIMS…AGAIN

 

“By voting this way, Garrett thumbed his nose at the Katrina victims

and at the compassionate people who live in our community.”

 

                                                                             -- Paul Aronsohn

 

 

 

 

Ridgewood – 2006 Democratic Congressional Candidate Paul Aronsohn criticized his former opponent for voting against the victims of Hurricane Katrina…again.  

 

On Wednesday, Congressman Scott Garrett voted against the “Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007” – a bipartisan piece of legislation that, among other things, aims to provide affordable housing to low-income families affected by Hurricane Katrina.  Many of these families, Aronsohn noted, are still homeless almost 2 years after the devastating storm. 

 

Garrett was the only Member of the New Jersey delegation – Republican or Democrat – to vote against the measure.

 

“This vote was wrong.  It was immoral.  And it showed – once again – that Scott Garrett doesn’t represent the values and priorities of people in the 5^th District,” Aronsohn said.

 

“How, in good conscience, could Garrett vote against the victims of Hurricane Katrina for a second time,” Aronsohn asked.  “Frankly, I don’t know how he sleeps at night.”

 

“Call it arrogance.  Call it extremism.  But whatever you call it, one thing is clear:  By voting this way, Garrett thumbed his nose at the Katrina victims and at the compassionate people who live in our community.”

 

This vote is only the latest example of Garrett taking a position completely at odds with the rest of the New Jersey delegation.  In fact, Garrett has been New Jersey’s “odd man out” on a whole host of important issues.

 

ü       SECURITY

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote for increased foreign ownership of U.S. airlines.

ü       ENVIRONMENT

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote for oil and gas drilling off the shore of New Jersey.

 

ü       ENERGY

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against a crackdown on price gouging by oil companies.

 

ü       CIVIL RIGHTS

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against aid for the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to support proselytizing by Air Force officials.

 

ü      HEALTHCARE

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to not support the American Cancer Society's “Promise” for federal funding for research and treatment.

ü       EDUCATION

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against a reduction in student loan interest rates.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against funding for special education.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against funding for technical/vocational education.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to co-sponsor "home school" legislation.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to support the teaching of "intelligent design" in public schools.

 

ü       WOMEN

Garrett was the only Member of the N.J. State Legislature – Republican or Democrat -- to vote against requiring HMO coverage of mammograms.

CHILDREN

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to not support the Combating Autism Act.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against child safety locks on handguns.

 

ü      SENIORS / VETERANS

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote for drastic cuts in healthcare funding for Seniors ($600 billion) and Veterans ($50 billion).

ü       WORKING MEN AND WOMEN

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against an extension of unemployment benefits.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against an increase in the minimum wage.

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to call for a suspension of Davis-Bacon (the prevailing wage law) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

 

ü       SMALL BUSINESS

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against tax relief for small businesses.

 

ü       PETS

Garrett was the only N.J. Member of Congress—Republican or Democrat—to vote against aid for household pets in case of a disaster.

 

 

 

 

#