Heller And Hecks Misplaced Priorities, Rampant Hypocrisy

Las Vegas, NV — This morning, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed their 2011 spending bill. But what deserves significant attention -- aside from the on-going conversation of cuts to critical programs it brings -- is how this vote brings to light a glaring case of misplaced priorities and gross political hypocrisy from Reps. Dean Heller and Joe Heck.

 

With their vote, Heller and Heck seek to undo decades of bi-partisan work done by Nevadans and members of our state’s Congressional delegation that has resulted in the near-death of Yucca Mountain. 

 

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal this morning:

 

“The 2011 spending bill the U.S. House passed shortly before dawn today prolongs a dispute over a final portion of the Yucca Mountain Project. The bill directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to halt its efforts to close out the Nevada nuclear waste program. Following its House passage, the bill was sent to the Senate, where the Yucca provision was expected to be targeted for removal by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/19/2011]

 

A severe case of misplaced priorities, indeed. Especially when the focus should be on creating jobs for out-of-work Nevadans.

 

But their vote is also a case study in political hypocrisy when a Republican Party eminently concerned about “securing the borders,” and who just last year praised the controversial immigration legislation passed by Arizona, votes to decrease border security funding by an astounding $600 million dollars, when just last year legislation was passed to increase border security spending by an equal number. 

 

So far, during this Congress, Heller and Heck have voted to repeal health insurance reform when both benefit from Congressional health plans subsidized by American taxpayers, and now this? Where will the hypocrisy end? 

 

“It’s clear from their voting record that Reps. Dean Heller and Joe Heck have ditched the pressing priorities of this country – creating jobs and getting the economy moving forward again – in order to carry the water for their new GOP leadership,” said Sam Lieberman, chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party. “In doing so, they have shown a set of misplaced priorities and left a trail of hypocrisy that does absolutely nothing to help the people of our state. 

 

“If they truly cared about helping Nevada, they would join with members across the aisle to improve the economy and create jobs, instead of blindly voting on partisan legislation that will have consequences for our citizens.”