Even with her favorite voting partner (John Kline) signing on to a letter asking for funds to pay for the upcoming Presidential Conventions in Denver and Minneapolis, Bachmann cannot find the time or energy to support. What is it this time Michele?
Check it out on Minnesota Monitor:
Bachmann Balks on RNC Security Request
by: Andy Birkey
Wed Nov 28, 2007 at 12:52:49 PM
Every member of Minnesota's Congressional delegation signed a letter to U.S. Congressional leaders urging them to pass security funding for St. Paul in advance of next year's Republican National Convention.
Except one: Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Headed by Reps. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the co-signers urge Congress for advance funding to help defray security costs being incurred before the conventions in St. Paul and Denver. Because both cities are smaller than host cities of the past, receiving funding up front is vital to successful security planning, the letter said.
"The host cities are now incurring security-related costs and have stressed the importance of receiving federal funds as soon as possible. Unlike New York and other large host cities for previous conventions, Denver and St. Paul are unable to absorb security costs in their existing budgets and wait for federal reimbursement," the letter said.
Congress is prepared to allocate $100 million between the two cities with $50 million directed to each. Minnesota's Congressional delegation, minus Bachmann, argues that the earlier the funding arrives, the more prepared St. Paul will be for the convention.
Bill Harper, McCollum's chief of staff, told the Associated Press that only two bills may be available this year that could be used to provide the money. "The number of appropriation vehicles are starting to look limited," he said.
Bachmann's absence from the letter is curious given the support of her Republican colleagues, including Rep. John Kline.
Was she left out of the letter signing? According to Byran Collinsworth, press secretary for McCollum, "Rep. Bachmann was presented with the same opportunity to sign the letter as all other members of the Minnesota delegation."
Does she find the dollar amount too high for a party held for herself and her colleagues? Is she concerned that the funding would come too soon?
Is she concerned the money will be contained in a bill that President Bush finds too expensive? Bachmann signed a pledge to Bush to uphold any veto of a bill that spends more than his proposed budget. Kline signed that bill as well, however.
Will anyone ever know? Bachmann's office did not respond to a request for comment. Should she provide one, I will post it here.
Tags: RNC, Michele Bachmann, (All Tags)
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Cross Posted on Dump Bachmann
