Reichert (R-Wash.) goes to bat for police, ticks off own party

[Newsjock]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002336531_reichert15m.html

By Alicia Mundy
Seattle Times Washington bureau

WASHINGTON — Rep. Dave Reichert broke with Republican leaders in Congress yesterday, proposing to restore $78 million to a federal program that helped King County hire dozens of deputies when he was sheriff.

The freshman Republican from Auburn lost badly in his attempt to amend the U.S. Justice Department appropriations bill — and antagonized one of the more important Republicans in the House in the process.

In trying to reverse cuts to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, Reichert violated one of the cardinal rules of Congress: Never tick off a cardinal. The cardinals are the 10 powerful chairmen of the subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee, which controls the federal budget.

One of those cardinals is Frank Wolf, a longtime GOP representative from Northern Virginia who chairs the appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Justice Department budget.

During a floor debate yesterday, Wolf yelled at times and denounced Reichert's proposal for shifting money from federal law enforcement to COPS. Wolf almost accused Reichert himself of being willing to allow terrorist groups and drug gangs to run rampant across America.

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[rocktivity]

1. Game on.

The moderates in the GOP realize that neither they nor their party can survive if they remain cojoined to its radical leadership--that's what the filibuster compromise was really about. I heard on AAR this morning that Flordia's Mel Martinez is also going against the GOP by righting against offshore drilling in the Everglades.

If enough "real" Repubs cross over, we might just be able launch impeachment procedings after all!

:bounce:
rocknation

[consuming]

9. 3. Can't believe what GB gets away with!

[LightningFlash]

2. Keep splitting....Reichert, realize the truth.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org

[MarianJack]

3. He Must Have Been a PUSHOVER As a Cop!

After all, he was only the most tenacious investigator and one of the first to figure out who the Green River Killer really was, as well as being instrumental in never letting that investigation die.

Given that, I guess he knows NOTHING about the needs of those in Law Enforcement!

[Frances]

4. Maybe he'll switch parties

I think some Repubs have no idea what their party is really about

[MarianJack]

5. I, For One,...

...would be happy to have him!

[Renew Deal]

6. The COPS program was a good program.

Especially in these times of "terror"

[fob]

7. Isn't COPS a Clinton program? How dare a republick actually use

(hired the deputies) and defend a Clinton era program! If you ain't agin' Bill Clinton you're fer the terraists!

/bush*co

[Renew Deal]

8. Good job

Glad to know someone is fighting for people down there.

[progressivebydesign]

10. Do the greedy bastards really KNOW what the GOP is doing to them?

I mean.. do all the happy, brainless little republicans who are SOOO concerned about their own children and their own safety realize that THEIR party is voting AGAINST police protection in their communities? Sheesh.. what a bunch of morans.

Kudos to Reichert. HOpe he sees the light of who REALLY is on the side of law enforcement... hint: it's not the ones cutting funding.