Driehaus was one of 20 Democrats to oppose the bill. He said in a statement after the vote that he took President Barack Obama's challenge in Tuesday night's speech of fiscal responsibility seriously, and so he voted "no." "We cannot merely promise fiscal restraint for tomorrow; we must act upon that promise today," he said. Driehaus said he supports much of the funding included in the spending bill, which would fund government services to veterans, seniors, students and others though fiscal 2009, which ends Sept. 30, but he opposed the overall level of spending in the bill. Senegal RPCV Steve Driehaus was elected to Congress in 2008. Driehaus had served in the Ohio House of Representatives since 2001 and has served as Minority Whip since 2005.
Democrat Driehaus votes with GOP on budget
Driehaus votes with GOP on budget
By Malia Rulon • mrulon@enquirer.com •
February 25, 2009
WASHINGTON - The House passed a $410 billion spending bill Wednesday, but not a single lawmaker from Greater Cincinnati voted for it - including Rep. Steve Driehaus, a Democrat.
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The 245-178 vote was mostly along party lines with most Democrats voting for it and most Republicans voting against.
Republican leaders said the bill is too expensive and was written in secret. They also criticized it for containing money for thousands of special projects -- or earmarks -- requested by lawmakers for their home districts.
Driehaus, of Price Hill, was one of 20 Democrats to oppose the bill.
He said in a statement after the vote that he took President Barack Obama's challenge in Tuesday night's speech of fiscal responsibility seriously, and so he voted "no."
"We cannot merely promise fiscal restraint for tomorrow; we must act upon that promise today," he said.
Driehaus said he supports much of the funding included in the spending bill, which would fund government services to veterans, seniors, students and others though fiscal 2009, which ends Sept. 30, but he opposed the overall level of spending in the bill.
"At a time when families across America are tightening their belts to make ends meet, and state and local governments are forced to do more with less, we must not delay in addressing the president's challenge of disciplined spending," he said.
The spending measure combines nine budget bills covering an array of federal agencies. Until Wednesday's vote, lawmakers kept the government operating under a stopgap spending bill, which expires next month.
Also voting "no" on the bill were Republican Reps. Jean Schmidt of Miami Township, John Boehner of West Chester, Mike Turner of Centerville and Geoff Davis of Hebron, Ky.
The measure now heads to the Senate, which could pass it by week's end.
Contributing: Raju Chebium, Gannett Washington Bureau
