Michele Bachmann, on her House website, posts the story of the Clearwater Fire Department that received over $52 thousand dollars in grant money from the federal government through the Firefighters Assistance Grant. On the surface, it is a feel good story about a group that deserves many kudos and as much financial assistance as we can muster. Unfortunately, Michele really ought not be the person to present this check to any group of firefighters given her lack of support on bills related to this program and to firefighters in general. It smacks of hypocrisy to say, "This grant will help protect the volunteers of the Fire Department", then go back to Washington and vote against measures that fund this program as well as measures that could help these public servants afford the education it takes to become firefighters.
Michele Bachmann
Contact: Heidi Frederickson 651-731-5400
Bachmann Presents Clearwater Fire Department with $52,326 Firefighters Grant
Clearwater, Minnesota, Sep 12 -Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was in Clearwater Wednesday to present the Clearwater Fire Department with a grant for $52,326. Recipients of the Grant included Fire Chief Doug Nieters, Assistant Fire Chief Doug Zupan, Fire Marshal Brian Kunkel and Clearwater Mayor Lee Monk.
“It is an honor to be in Clearwater to present this Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the entire Clearwater Fire Department,” said Bachmann during the presentation. “The first responders of the Clearwater Fire Department put their lives on the line each and everyday. This grant will help protect the volunteers of the Fire Department and the residents of the Clearwater area when they need it most."The purpose of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is to give financial support directly to local fire departments to improve our first responder’s ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed as an opportunity for Congress to work with the Homeland Security Department to enhance basic fire service delivery across the United States.
Yet, her congressional record shows little support for this program or the firefighters who "put their lives on the line everyday"!
H.R.2638
Title: Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] (introduced 6/8/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.473, S.1644
Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Resolving differences -- Senate actions. Status: Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Byrd; Inouye; Leahy; Mikulski; Kohl; Murray; Landrieu; Lautenberg; Nelson NE; Cochran; Gregg; Stevens; Specter; Domenici; Shelby; Craig; Alexander.
House Reports: 110-181
MAJOR ACTIONS:
6/8/2007 Introduced in House 6/8/2007 The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-181, by Mr. Price (NC). 6/15/2007 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 268 - 150 (Roll no. 491). 7/26/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay. 89 - 4. Record Vote Number: 282. 7/26/2007 Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Byrd; Inouye; Leahy; Mikulski; Kohl; Murray; Landrieu; Lautenberg; Nelson NE; Cochran; Gregg; Stevens; Specter; Domenici; Shelby; Craig; Alexander.
Bachmann voted NO! This is the bill that makes appropriations for the program that assists fire departments across the country. Michele, the hypocrisy of voting against the measure that funds this program then traveling to Cleawater to congratulate a group for getting some of those funds is truly astonishing. Do you have an explanation? Are you opposed to government handouts or in favor of them, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!
H.R.2669
Title: To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 6/12/2007) Cosponsors (31)
Related Bills: H.RES.531, H.RES.637
Latest Major Action: 9/19/2007 Presented to President.
House Reports: 110-210; Latest Conference Report: 110-317 (in Congressional Record H10168-10181)
MAJOR ACTIONS:
6/12/2007 Introduced in House 6/25/2007 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-210. 7/11/2007 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 273 - 149 (Roll no. 613). 7/20/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78 - 18. Record Vote Number: 272. 9/6/2007 Conference report H. Rept. 110-317 filed. 9/7/2007 Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 79 - 12. Record Vote Number: 326. 9/7/2007 Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 292 - 97 (Roll no. 864). 9/19/2007 Presented to President.
Bachmann voted NO not once, but TWICE, to the College Cost Reduction Act that would have given firefighters some relief from the costs of college for their service!
2 responses to "Michele Bachmann: Photo-op Hypocrisy!"
Hypocrisy is Michele Bachmann's middle name.
Actually, I hear her full name is Michele Kissy Monster Hypocrisy Fool For Christ Bachmann! :)