Rep. Istook even screwing fellow Republicans

[NewJeffCT]

Those Republicans are really turning on themselves. The now infamous radical right winger Ernest Istook (R-OK) – is he not the guy that had the income tax review thing in appropriations bill? – is really screwing fellow Republican Rob Simmons of Connecticut, merely because Simmons supports Amtrak. Though, I think it is also partly to screw a blue state. Simmons, a conservative but not a radical RWer, had his $37 million of requests turned into 0 dollars for his district. Included in the $37 million Simmons had requested was money for the Cerebal Palsy Foundations world championships to be held in Simmons’ district next year.


WASHINGTON -- While Rep. Ernest Istook was denying eastern Connecticut millions of dollars in transportation-related projects, he was making sure his own Oklahoma City district got a whopping $51.5 million for a single, controversial downtown highway.

Istook last month threw out of the massive budget bill the $37.3 million sought by Rep. Rob Simmons, a Republican who represents Connecticut's 2nd District.

The Oklahoma Republican, who is chairman of the House transportation appropriations subcommittee, also squelched the proposals of 20 other House members to punish them for their advocacy of increased funding for Amtrak.

As a result, the spending bill Congress passed on Nov. 20, which contained millions of dollars in more routine federal programs, had no special money for Simmons' district. He had wanted help for nine projects, including improvements to routes 11 and 82 and money for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation's world championships in New London next year.

http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-road1201.artdec01,1,4349523.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

[tk2kewl]

1. It really is time for a tax revolt

[tandot]

2. Republicans: doing what they do best: Screwing others and the country

They don't really care if other Republicans are affected. Their motto is ME ME ME ME ME ...

The more they fight each other, the better for us.

[asjr]

3. The Repub party, also known as the Revenge party may

have a few problems this year with their own. I would hope some will switch parties, or at least become independents. It has become a "racket" club in Congress.

[NewJeffCT]

4. The thing is on Simmons

Simmons - the Republican - got ZERO money for his district for supporting Amtrak. The next distric over is John Larson of Hartford, a fairly liberal Democrat. His website has a headline how he was able to get $20 million for his district!

So, a Democrat gets his pork, but a Republican who goes against the party line does not.