Submitted by Tom on Tue, 2011-07-26 20:55
Des Moines – Representative Steve King (IA-04) eschewed any pretense of helping solve the debt ceiling crisis yesterday when he skipped town and missed votes to fundraise. King joined Governor Christie in Iowa’s new 4th district yesterday to try and make up his fundraising disadvantage. Apparently some things are just too important to miss. For King that means schilling for campaign cash with the Governor of New Jersey instead of doing the job Iowans count on him to do.
“Even with the default crisis looming, Representative Steve King abandoned his responsibility in Congress to fundraise and protect a job he is failing to do,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “After playing games with our economy and trying end to end Medicare, all to protect tax breaks for billionaires, Representative Steve King would rather focus on his own re-election than work to solve challenges that face Iowans every day. It is unacceptable that Representative King would play hooky in Washington to fundraise when the stakes are this high.”
Background
Called for the Impeachment of President Obama. In July 2011, King tweeted that Obama would be impeached if he allows a default. King wrote, “STOP talking about default. The 1st dime of each $1 of revenue services debt. Obama would be impeached if he blocked debt payments. C C & B!” [@SteveKingIA, 7/25/11; see also: Politico, 7/25/11]
Missed Votes in Washington, DC. Of the seven recorded votes taken yesterday, King was not present for any of them. [House Clerk’s Office, accessed 7/26/11]
Held a Des Moines Fundraiser Featuring NJ Governor Chris Christie. Yesterday, King held a fundraiser in Iowa headlined by New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie. King said he was “particularly pleased” with the governor’s appearance because Christie came of his own accord. [Des Moines Register, 7/25/11]