Intra-GOP Split in Louisiana Delegation With Cassidy and Fleming Pledging to Vote Against Deal to End Shutdown, Avert Default

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany failed to name names today when he criticized fellow House Republicans “who are in complete denial about their responsibility to govern,” but Louisiana’s own Bill Cassidy and John Fleming have pledged to vote no on the bipartisan Senate deal to end the shutdown and avert default.

“It would appear Congressman Boustany has taken aim at his fellow members of the Louisiana delegation that have dragged us into a harmful government shutdown and played political games with the full faith and credit of the United States,” said Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk. “Boustany should have the courage of his convictions and identify those members that he claims have acted ‘to derail a Republican conservative agenda in the House.’ Does he include John Fleming, Steve Scalise, and Bill Cassidy, who all signed a letter supporting a government shutdown?

“In addition, Boustany may want to reconsider his endorsement of Neil Riser in the 5th District special election, since Riser seems cut from the exact same cloth as Fleming, Cassidy and Scalise in wanting to shut down the government in a doomed attempt to take away affordable health care from millions of Americans.”

Boustany today told the National Journal, “There are members with a different agenda. And I’m not sure they’re Republicans and I’m not sure they’re conservative.” Boustany also questioned the motives of his fellow Republicans, saying, “Their allegiance is to these outside Washington DC interest groups that raise money.”

 

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