Billy House/Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- The House today rejected the $700 billion financial rescue plan, with 95 Democrats joining with two-thirds of the House Republicans to defeat the measure 228-205.
Among those voting against the measure was Tampa Bay area freshman Democrat Kathy Castor -- normally a sure vote on issues pushed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
But Castor, in a statement, called the bill "the Bush plan," and said "it does not provide sufficient help to middle-class families in the housing squeeze or taxpayer protections.”
“I assisted hundreds of Tampa Bay families at my foreclosure workshops this summer and I understand the need for direct, immediate action," said Castor. "The Bush plan failed to provide such action.”
She said Congress should go back to the drawing board as soon as possible this week.
Castor was joined in opposing the bill by Tampa Bay area Republican Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville, Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor and C.W. Bill Young of Indian Shores.
Among Tampa area House members, only Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow, the third-ranking House Republican, supported the measure. In a floor speech before the vote, he likened the need to pass the bill to preparing for a hurricane.
“One bank after another failing, rolling out of New York, rolling out of Brussels, out of London, out of these places that seem so foreign into our Main Streets, into our merchant associations, into our farmer cooperatives,” said Putnam.” You’re watching this happen, so how could you as a member of Congress in seeing that roll across the countryside, not do everything in your power to prevent it?”
But Brown-Waite, of Brooksville, said that, "Make no mistake, a vote for this bailout is a vote to ratify business as usual in Washington."
"The compromise was crafted, including some of the same people who brought us this mess, except this time we have a gun to our head," Brown-Waite said.
"This isn't legislation. This is extortion," said Brown-Waite.
Young of Indian Shores, a Republican, believes that on an issue of critical importance, that Congress should take more time, get more information and hear more viewpoints to make sure it comes up with the right solution, said his spokesman, Harry Glenn.
Among those voting against the measure was Tampa Bay area freshman Democrat Kathy Castor -- normally a sure vote on issues pushed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
But Castor, in a statement, called the bill "the Bush plan," and said "it does not provide sufficient help to middle-class families in the housing squeeze or taxpayer protections.”
“I assisted hundreds of Tampa Bay families at my foreclosure workshops this summer and I understand the need for direct, immediate action," said Castor. "The Bush plan failed to provide such action.”
She said Congress should go back to the drawing board as soon as possible this week.
Castor was joined in opposing the bill by Tampa Bay area Republican Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville, Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor and C.W. Bill Young of Indian Shores.
Among Tampa area House members, only Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow, the third-ranking House Republican, supported the measure. In a floor speech before the vote, he likened the need to pass the bill to preparing for a hurricane.
“One bank after another failing, rolling out of New York, rolling out of Brussels, out of London, out of these places that seem so foreign into our Main Streets, into our merchant associations, into our farmer cooperatives,” said Putnam.” You’re watching this happen, so how could you as a member of Congress in seeing that roll across the countryside, not do everything in your power to prevent it?”
But Brown-Waite, of Brooksville, said that, "Make no mistake, a vote for this bailout is a vote to ratify business as usual in Washington."
"The compromise was crafted, including some of the same people who brought us this mess, except this time we have a gun to our head," Brown-Waite said.
"This isn't legislation. This is extortion," said Brown-Waite.
Young of Indian Shores, a Republican, believes that on an issue of critical importance, that Congress should take more time, get more information and hear more viewpoints to make sure it comes up with the right solution, said his spokesman, Harry Glenn.