Omnibus Spending Disaster Roll Call – Here is how our VA Congressmen voted on the Omnibus Spending Bill:
- 1st – Robert Wittman (R) – NO;
- 2nd – Scott Rigell (R)Â – YES;
- 3rd – Bobby Scott (D) – YES;
- 4th – Randy Forbes (R) – NO;
- 5th – Robert Hurt (R) – NO;
- 6th – Bob Goodlatte (R) – NO;
- 7th – Dave Brat (R) – NO;
- 8th – Don Beyer (D) – YES;
- 9th – Morgan Griffith (R) – NO;
- 10th – Barbara Comstock (R) – YES;
- 11th – Gerald Connolly (D)Â – YES;
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D) – YES;
- Sen. Mark Warner (D) – YES;
So Barbara Comstock and Scott Rigell join with all the VA Democrats to support this bill. Make of that what you will.
45 comments
Goodlatte, the immigration lawyer voted against it? It has a provision for tripling H2b visas which will thrill his cheap labor corporate sponsors… well he knew it was going to pass anyway so that vote is symbollic for the Republican voter chumps in his district..
Hey, my Representative, Morgan Griffith, voted against this waste of a bill. Good for him.
Well, I didn’t expect much from Comstock but I expected something. She now goes into the worthless RINO bin.
I would have to say the 6th’s vote was a show vote as Ryan knew he had enough House Democrats to more then carry the day on “Obama’s” bill. Why? Rep. Goodlatte’s committee and him personally in the House is the godfather of the H1-B visa efforts contained in this bill. This will put a lot of working class Virginians in further dire straits in the state as well as across the country. It’s disgraceful.
Then we’d better get a lot more show votes and show some consequences of actions — I want to see the statements/positions of the unit/faction leaders on this vote. If they don’t have one, or support this crap… You know what to do.
I just remembered that Comstock and Rigell, the only Republicans in VA to vote for the bill, endorsed Marco Rubio, the only Senator running for President to skip out on voting.
Interesting…
I guess it was that or vote ‘Present.’
Or vote against it.
He’s the new establishment kid on the block, this is a test to see if he could serve their purpose. ‘Well jeepers, I didn’t vote for the 1.1 Trillion, so I can’t be as bad as my endorsers — see, I’m more conservative.’ Looks like Rubio heads for the hottest place in hell.
True. Before this he was on my short list of candidates, but now…
Also … Marco Rubio no-showed this vote. Every other senator running for president made it.
Mentioned that in a separate micro-blog
The two worst members of our Republican delegation. No surprise.
She’s my Rep and I’m surprised! I did not expect her to do this. I’m going to bring this up with my unit chair and I encourage all others to do the same with their chairs, electeds, future nominees, and future candidates.
Take a long look at her complete voting record, I couldn’t find a SINGLE Obama program support vote she has said “nay” on to date during her short tenure in the house. This is my prediction on what she will accomplish for the Republican Party in NoVA in her Democrat in Republican guise costume. She will help drive a true elected Democrat into the 10th District seat within the next 4-5 re-election cycles. The 10th District as far as I can tell from top to bottom believe she is the “great hope” rather then “fools gold” that is just one decent Democratic candidate away from being sent home in defeat. The 10th district political strategy is a mess top to bottom.
4-5?? I’d say 1-2. She is driving Republicans away with endorsements and votes at a higher burn rate than any other elected. It’s almost as if she attended Russ Potts’ Campaign School.
However, we should be grateful she hasn’t gone through a ‘maturation process’ and switched parties yet… so we’d better line up and be nice or she’ll… Vote… Errr… Support…. Errrr… I got nothing, why are we supposed to love her so? Gotta be something better than ‘She’s not Shak!’
Shak would be better. Comstock is not only doing damage to herself, she’s damaging the Virginia and national Republican parties with her antics.
No, Shak has jumped the shark and is only good for comic relief and political bad example. Shak running against Barbara would be an answer to her prayers (and would actually help her in the general)
Nothing funny about Barbara, and her antics are serving as a horrible warning and a wake-up call for the RPV and GOP. Is this her straw that breaks the camels back? Can a US Rep act against her party and district on a perceived immunity of just being ‘swell?’
Just because she has the nomination sewed up due to a misplaced application of loyalty and tradition doesn’t necessarily lead to electoral victory.
One doesn’t taunt happy phun ball.
I don’t think so. Shak managed to put up a pretty good effort against Gillespie, he particularly had a lot of support in Southwest Virginia. If he managed to get enough funding from other portions of Virginia, he could run a pretty good challenge to Comstock.
Plus, with his work with Cruz, he’s getting in and out of state connections. Not a bad place to be if he wanted to launch another campaign.
Besides, who else would or could challenge Comstock?
Agreed. Comstock is doing pretty bad. She was supposed to be a rising star, not falling meteor. Her supporters in the party will make it murder to try and replace her, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. We shouldn’t just cede that district to the Democrats without trying to save it.
A pretty good effort — That’s the problem with Shak, and guys like him. I supported the heck out of him, he’s got an awesome story and in another universe, another time, could even be considered electable. One of the greatest times I had was at the Gillespie party asking folks what they thought of all the Shak support and seeing them get pale and shaky.
But Shak remains Shak and his personality, style, and behavior have already rendered him unelectable. Perhaps in another state??
You can’t bomb half a bridge and you’d need someone to take out all of Barbara and win the general — not going to happen this time around — which gives her the time she needs to come to her political senses.
No need for the Dems to take the 10th, they already have a for-sure vote here — but just this one time…
Saying he’s not electable is an easy thing to say, but to prove it requires more than just a defeat to someone who had a better campaign team and more money. I supported him as well and I was disappointed when he lost, but I firmly believe Shak isn’t done in Virginia politics.
Good grief, Comstock certainly isn’t done and she’s running herself into ruin. And Gillespie is making a second try. Why shouldn’t Shak?
Time changes voter opinions. Eric Cantor was believed to be invincible due his ground team controlling everything under the sun in his district, he lost and his men were rooted out in one election. If a Majority Leader can be removed from his office, one rogue Congresswoman can be voted out.
Sounds like, with time, planning, and Comstock continuing to act like a Democrat, that district can be reclaimed.
We’re talking about the same Shak right? Shak not being electable is not only easy to say, but more able to be taken for currency at gun shows than Bitcoin, Silver, or Gold. Jeez, ask anyone in the 10th or around the state — besides, he’s running for something statewide (bwahhahaha,) And you should be smacked for putting Shak in the Dave Brat club (‘I know Dave Brat and he’s no Dave Brat!) But Shak-bashing should be saved for idle political banter or a cheapshotting a candidate.
I’m just a drone, but I see no way for Barbara to lose anything in the 10th or Shak to win anything in the 10th — and aside from the making the most amusing political contest in the history of the District, would result in Shak being the new Harold Stassen and Barbara having her face carved into the side of Snickers Gap!
If she continues her mono focus efforts on digging her Obama support hole which she shows every intend to do, so even the lowest, of low information voters in the 10th start to get the message and then you find a primary candidate in the district that is owed no favors or genuflects to Frank Wolf’s memory, separate her from her NoVA public sector union support as well as her cross over Democratic vote and finally come up with a competent, fair but focused, Brat like candidate in the district, she can be successfully primaried. Like the 7th though, you will need to do some housecleaning in the district leadership before you have any chance of a level playing field. Otherwise in a few short years we will have the reincarnation of Eric Cantor sitting in the 10th District, a traditional sole Republican power base district in NoVA. Nothing personal but she has got to GO!
Inshallah! There is only one positioned to take her on this cycle!
Yes we are.
You’re not making a point besides the point you already made that you don’t think Shak can win. Fair enough, I think he can.
Dave Brat wasn’t the man who defeated a titan before he took a chance and defeated that titan. You and I don’t, and won’t, know if Shak Hill is the next Dave Brat until he tries. Both of us have our opinions, but that is all.
Joe, if you’re talking about the 10th as it is now, in a Primary, to win, Shak doesn’t have a prayer — don’t take my word for it, go ask around the 10th, go ask around the party.
For Senate, in a Convention, Shak lost, for Congress in a Canvass he lost. Shak is a swell guy, and no doubt he would stand for office if asked, but no one sane is asking.
It’s not about challenging Barbara, she can beat almost everyone in the district with both hands tied behind her back. She would win in a Convention, Canvass, or Primary.
You’re not going to punish her by challenging her with a Shak, or Mark, or Russ. It would help her and drive Conservatives back to supporting her.
A challenge to cost her money? She just voted in 1.1 Trillion of sugar — any protest challenger is a drop in the bucket.
No Republican is going to say ‘I’d rather have a democrat,’ so we’re all going to get to smile and nod.
Finally, it’s not fair that the 10th keep the treasure that is Shak to ourselves, we need to share him statewide! Smart money says he’s the only guy who’s willing to take down Whitbeck!
Again, we won’t know until he tries. Everybody said Brat had no choice, until he tried. Same thing for Shak, easy to to dismiss him until he tries.
No one sane is asking? What? And what office would he asked to stand for? Are you talking about people asking him to stand for Congress against Comstock?
With these votes? I doubt it. The magic wears off, it may wear off slowly, but it wears off.
Would it? If someone else had a good shot to primary her Conservatives would support her? That means that the Conservatives in the district find her acceptable enough, even in spite of the fact that she is voting against them. They may not like her but they will tolerate her.
That’s a false choice, a poor Republican or a Democrat? That’s a talking point put out by politicians who want to hold their seats. “It’s either me or somebody worse.”
You think Shak is going to go against Whitbeck? Why?
Shak against Barbara, an embarrassing futile gesture.
I don’t know of anybody who could win the general who would take on Barbara — I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
Some people are unhappy with Whitbeck, only person to run Statewide at a convention who would do so is Shak. Not saying it’s a good thing to do, but, you know.
Shak can’t manage his own campaign finances. According to his FEC report he is in the whole over $100,000. Certainly not conservative credentials.
Yes Barbara would love for him to challenge her. She has helped so many folks with their own campaigns that they will support her. See her vpap report.
http://www.vpap.org/donors/248292-comstock-for-us-house-of-representatives-barbara/
Not to mention the over 3 dozen events she has held for fellow Republicans in and out of her district.
Shak shows up at other Republican’s fundraising events, not donating a dime,simply to collect voter’s contact information.
Shak would be a waste of campaign funds that she would need to go after Dem Luann Bennett.
I’d end up maxing for Barbara in that case. Shak would be Barbara’s best fundraiser. Luann is a head fake.
I’m going to hazard a guess that you are a Comstock supporter.
First, campaign finances are usually done by the campaign treasurer, not the candidate. Campaign debt? Commonplace, as long as it is paid off it is a footnote.
And Shak Hill ran as a candidate for Senate, got a lot of support in the Southern parts of the state, and is now helping out a presidential campaign. He’s got his own foundation to launch a run if he so chooses.
Shak isn’t that wealthy, can’t donate a lot, especially with how large his family is.
And if Shak Hill runs against her either this election or the next and wins, will funds be wasted if he has a primary challenger as well?
Joseph, are you from the 10th? Active in the party? Been around a few elections? Your comments seem to indicate no how no way.
Did Shak get 100% support at the convention from the 10th?
Him starting an election 100 large down?
Define a lot of support? Not enough to retire the debt?
His foundation? Don’t think that hasn’t raised eyebrows.
‘Why can’t you all just leave Shak alone?’
Geez louise, defensive much? You’ve attacked me twice now for disagreeing with you, stop the hostility.
To answer your questions.
I’m from Virginia 09, and yes I have been active in the party and the elections. Virginia’s 10th district isn’t that different. Each district is unique, and each is similar from a political standpoint. While each should be judged as it’s own entity, there are constants between them. So please don’t play the ‘You don’t know anything about us’ card.
No, I never said he got 100% either. I said he got support from Southern Virginia.
He pays off his debt, that issue is dealt with.
Convention supporters aren’t donors.
I never said his foundation, I said *a* foundation. He’s gaining allies and support among the Conservative wing of the party, statewide.
Because he’s a good man who is active in politics.
Sorry Joe, I don’t mean to be attacking you for disagreeing with me. The people that think throwing Shak against Barbara a good idea are usually those outside the 10th, outside the Party, and outside the rich tapestry of Shakolitics. Blog comments have made me defensive and I feel no longer the loved and admired political sage.
Don’t worry about it, I was just surprised.
You’re very politically savvy from what I’ve seen, just a disagreement going on here.
My issue is I like Shak Hill and I’d like to see him doing *something* to advance the party because he seems to be one of the most decent Republicans in Virginia.
I’m just full of myself, read Lawrence Wood for concentrated radioactive political savvy.
Shak has been out on the front lines so much that he’s gotten dinged and dented. He’s no longer acceptable to the majority of Conservatives or Republicans. I think he should run against John Whitbeck for RPV Chairman (because it would be incredibly funny) or for delegate or alternate to the National Convention for the 10th (seriously, we’ll send anybody)
Shak should spend some time not running for stuff but helping others running for office. I thought Shak couldn’t hurt anything with the Cruz thing (because Cruz is ineligible) but with all the misguided big names climbing aboard, he might get lost in the shuffle.
Who isn’t? I like to think I am way smarter than I am.
You never know. He seems interested in continuing in politics. If he doesn’t run for Congress, he could run for town council, supervisor, delegate, or some other position.
Uhh, I’m sensing a story about your delegates to the National Convention.
Cruz, although the legality is odd, is eligible according to law as it is written. Believe me, I’m not wading into all the legalities because I’m not a lawyer, but he is legally allowed to become president according to the majority opinion.
I refer you to the Constitution — I’ve mentioned the details in other threads, and, believe it or not, have been accused of droning on like a broken record.
The Constitution belongs to all of us, and not just lawyers — it is written for the common man and is quite clear.
Majority opinion ain’t magic, and it ain’t law, and it doesn’t trump the Constitution. We have a Constitutional Republic for a reason.
Yes, but according to the lawyers who have studied the Constitution, he’s eligible.
Shakespeare was right.
The Constitution is not the dominion of only lawyers, it is for all of us, and it is not that incomprehensible. Every citizen should be familiar with it. It’s OUR constitution.
The constitution defines eligibility for the office of President, the NBC clause knocks out Rubio and Cruz.
The establishment would love to use it if it didn’t help Trump, the Dems will use it if our nominee isn’t eligible, and the Piven/Cloward set will use it if an ineligible candidate wins the popular vote. This will make ‘hanging chads’ seem like the good old days.
I guess I saw a partial post and replied below — here’s follow-up.
Every district is unique and different, and if you think Shak is viable in any way, shape,or form in the 10th — you cray cray! Not hostile, just filling you in on the reality of the 10th.
I tried to get him 100% of the 10th, but he was already known to too many of the delegates.
The totals of the convention for Senate were not announced, but are known. Support of Southern Virginia doesn’t really matter against Barbara — she could probably get more support from all over the commonwealth.
No doubt there are foundations with more money than sense and they could throw some money at Shak and/or HIS foundation and he would still lose.
Shak is not gaining support and allies among the conservative wing of the party — we already know him!
There are a lot of good people active in politics, many with more pluses than Shak, and not as many minuses. None of these people should be running against Barbara either.
But it is not our, in the 10th, current concern to find Shak a vehicle to retire his debt, pump up his awesome foundation, or build a statue of him somewhere.
Barbara Comstock is our current concern though. She’s managed to tick off people I wouldn’t think cared about the budget. This could be the straw that broke the camels back, and while I know what not to do, I don’t know what to do about it.
Unique, different, and similar. That’s why campaign schools have general training, because similar tactics usually work in different districts.
I’d be astonished if he had 100% of a district. Even uncontested candidates usually don’t get 100%.
Bussing in volunteers and support from 09 would help, if he decided to run. Plus donations.
Maybe, maybe not. Pure hypothetical example, not saying it will come true, if Cruz wins the Republican primary and the presidency, Shak will come out looking good. Someone who helped the next president win a crucial swing state? That’d be a good foundation.
Shak is known to people like you and me, who tune into politics in when it isn’t all the rage. Before he was in an off-year, now he’s making alliances in a presidential primary. Very different timing and people working in this primary.
Why? If you don’t try and remove her, she’s not going to go anywhere. As a matter of fact, some folks were trying to convince her to run for governor.
Never said you should build a statue, I suggested he should run against someone who is doing a bad job.
What options have you explored? You don’t seem to think a primary would work, or censoring her, but what kind of long term goals do you have in mind?
Shak was the Treasurer for the 10th, he tried to help Mark — the 10th shoulda been 100% behind him just because he was our own.
The 10th is weird, just plain weird. People, units, geography, history, everything.
When you start thinking nobody could be worse, throw in Shak and Barbara support will skyrocket.
We’d have to have people building Shaktues before he’d be acceptable for public office.
I think the party faithful has to contact Susan and Barbara and nope them.
My gut tells me most will just smile and nod and just not tell Barbara that everyone will soon have better things to do if/when she wants/needs help.
And Cruz won’t win, he’s not eligible.
That’s not going to happen. 100% behind somebody, I’ve never seen it happen.
That close to D.C it would be. NOVA is an odd place in general.
Shaktues???
Pretty much, you’d have to get new people in those positions to tell them off. Telling off somebody you agree with on behalf of somebody else never works.
He is.
Indeed, I’m disappointed in her. Based on her record before she became a Congresswoman, I thought she’d be better than this.