WASHINGTON (CNN) – Despite direct lobbying by members of President Obama's administration in the last couple of weeks, many moderate House Republicans are still firmly opposed to the measure.
Before the House vote last month, 11 House Republicans attended a meeting at the White House with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to discuss their possible support. None of those members voted for the bill then, and CNN has learned that most do not intend to support the latest version either.
Pennsylvania Republican Jim Gerlach said he got calls from two Cabinet secretaries on Thursday –- HUD Secretary Sean Donovan and Transportation Secretary Secretary Ray LaHood – - but said the bill didn’t include the “fundamental change I think is needed.”
Rep Vern Ehlers, R- Mich, met with Obama’s White House legislative staff this week, but said the measure didn’t include enough items he thought would be effective stimulus to the economy.
Another Michigan Republican, Candice Miller, said she believes the compromise between the House and the Senate is worse than the original House bill. “I really wanted to get to yes because Lord knows we need the help in Michigan.” Miller said she asked for more direct help for the ailing auto industry and was disappointed the tax credit for auto buyers was scaled back. “I personally asked both the President and Rahm for something for the auto companies,” Miller said.
Spokespeople for Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, R-WV; Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio; and Rep. Leonard Lance, R-NJ, said these members will oppose the measure this afternoon.
A spokesperson for Rep Thomas Petri (WI) indicated that he will "not likely" vote for the bill.
And even though President Obama personally called on Rep Aaron Schock (IL) to support the measure while visiting the Caterpillar Plant in his district on Thursday, the Congressman's spokesman said he will be voting against it.
But Republican Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-La, said he is now “leaning yes" on the $787 billion economic stimulus bill, after voting with all other Republicans against the House version last month. Cao said he’s still reading the bill, but thought some aspects of the legislation could help rebuilding efforts in his New Orleans district.
From CNN Politics
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What possible"fundamental change that is needed"could the GOP be
referring to?This kind of statement coming from the Republican party
leaves me dizzy with the lack of rationale.
Did republicans do a good job for the last 8 years. Why want to change them. Country is better off without their support. Wait until next election.,
Let's move on. Forget those tight minded repubs they are a bunch of losers. Pres Obama has the majority, run with it Mr President.
We should use the Taliban Republicans as land fill for the road work that is in the Recovery package. These people have done far more damage to America than the Taliban or Al Queda ever dreamed possible.
They increased our debt over the last 8 years by 5 times this amount and what did we get to show for it? Enron, $4 gas, billions spent for Haliburton to rebuild Iraq, millions out of work, no progress on alternative energy, home values crashing, world wide economic melt down. But hey, it's O.K. these pigs have made enough for themselves and their supporters that no matter what happens to the rest of us, they will continue to live high on the hog.
Glad im not chained to my computor,its nice out today.Have fun fighting about things you arent going to change for years.
Minority House leader Boehner is full of hot air... watching this guy is like seeing a nineteenth century Republican whine over the fact that money is going to the west (San Fran, bullet train from L.A. to Vegas), when he feels that Ohio is being left in the dark. Well, you know what, Mr. Boehner? I am not so inclined to support the ideals of a man who still believes that the true U.S. is still only everything right of Indianapolis and stretching to the eastern seaboard. The country has grown a bit since then, sir. This isn't the "haves" and the "have-nots" any longer. We are in a global era now. Perhaps you would have been more appreciated in an earlier time–but, the, isn't that the problem with the entire party anyhow? - the inability to evolve and adapt to current times? "I hope it works"??? Is that the same feelings that went into your part in drafting NCLB? Thank the Lord up above that the rest of us know better and the country's fate does not rest SOLELY in your hands!
the republican party has come full circle. Change has come.
I believe we are seeing the end of the two party system. So we are seeing the death throw's., Watch wnen the economy starts to heal!
Suprise, Suprise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The republicans aren't listening to the people and their issues. Furthermore, the republicans don't have an alternative plan because THEY are the issue for putting the country in this problem. They need to help clean up their mess. They had nothing to say against Bush while he was making off the books appropriations for the Iraq war other than to say oh George, I will support you don't worry you have my vote I love th GOP.
Thanks, GOP.
Maybe it should be made known how much a redstate receives for each federal dollar that it puts in.For instance, Mississippi & Alaska get more back than what they put in. While a state like California gets less than what it puts in.
I am fed up with Republicans rediscovering the conservative values abandoned every time they rubber stamped the wasteful spending and policies of the Bush Administration. It is time to invest in the American people and the America workforce.
Let's not forget to thank Collins for havin gthe whistleblower protections removed so that transparency and enforcement would be more difficult. You're seriously not paying attention if you think the GOP is trying to make this thing work. They know they can't block it because that would be political hare kari, so they're trying to make sure it doesn't work and give themselves something to blame on Obama. No House GOPers will vote for it and only enough Senate GOPers will vote for it, because the game is to blame.
All we're hearing from Republicans is "no no no no". How about a constructive suggestion for a change? Doing nothing is certainly not an option...
Tsk, tsk, tsk... I don't see much in this spending package that will actually create jobs and get money moving around again. I see plenty of pork though. A "No" vote is in order.
They might like it if they had a chance to read it.
IT IS OBVIOUS THE Republican Party is Not There to Represent the People of America
Dear rush We are All scared of you ,But you do keep us entertained. May I ask, Do you enjoy New Orl., style Jazz
Dumas McGee – this is transparency, don'tcha know? Change you might believe in – same ol lies I believe.
If one is unable to understand the problem, it is unlikely they will agree with the solution.
There are only 3 moderate republicans in the senate and all 3 are voting for the bill. The others are right wing fiscal conservatives who put the country in the ditch and incurred 8 trillion of the 10 trillion dollar debt through the Reagan and Bushs's watchs..
So why would anyone ever take their positions seriously they had 20 years to get it right and tubed the country.
Talk about egg on the face... Republicans drama of not getting to read it.. no way to read it overnight.. to have had a copy of it for weeks........ 90% of it wasn't or hasn't changed in weeks.. few pages to read last night
come on... Oscar goes to the Republicans.. 2009 best drama
I don't think they know HOW to tell the truth..
Their districts shall get nothing then.
I have never heard Obey speak or frankly knew who he was until today, but he just ripped the House repubs a new one on C-SPAN!
It mostly looks like good measures to me. Republicans are such idiots. Anything that doesn't divert money into the pockets of fatcats doesn't suit them.
This bill should be buried and they all know it !