Poliquin still refuses to explain why he folded under pressure to Washington party bosses
Backroom Bruce Poliquin’s last-minute decision to switch his vote and allow discrimination against LGBT workers is garnering headlines across Maine.
After facing political pressure from his party bosses in Washington, Poliquin folded to their will and flipped his vote (in a secretive way) at the last minute to side against an anti-discrimination LGBT amendment.
Despite releasing a statement later in the day, Poliquin still has not explained his actions.
“While Backroom Bruce Poliquin is turning on the morning news to a multitude of headlines highlighting his last-minute vote switch to allow discrimination against LGBT workers, he still hasn’t explained why he folded to the will of his Washington party bosses,” said Bryan Lesswing at the DCCC. “If Backroom Bruce made anything clear yesterday it’s that he can’t stand up to party leadership and instead shamefully folds under pressure. Mainers deserve better leadership.”
Here is a round-up of coverage so far:
AP: “Poliquin among 7 House Republicans to switch votes, defeating gay rights protection”
“Democrats shouted “Shame! Shame!” but seven Republicans, including Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine, switched their votes under pressure from House leaders Thursday and defeated a measure to protect gay rights.”
Bangor Daily News: “Poliquin takes flak for switching to vote against LGBT-rights provision”
“U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine’s 2nd District was part of a chaotic episode in the House on Thursday, when Democrats fingered him as one of seven Republicans to flip their votes against a provision aiming to prevent LGBT discrimination.
[…]
“But Poliquin rejected that characterization in a statement that didn’t address his voting maneuver, saying he was “outraged that political opponents or members of the press would claim or insinuate that I cast a vote due to pressure or party politics.”
MPBN: “LGBT Advocates ‘Disappointed’ Bruce Poliquin Switched Vote”
“Initially, Poliquin had joined other members of the U.S. House in approving language protecting members of the LGBT community as part of an amendment to a spending bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects. The amendment barred contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.
“Then GOP leaders held the vote open and pressured their members to change their votes. When the results were recorded, Poliquin was among seven Republicans who had switched an affirmative vote to a no.
Roll Call: “7 Republicans Flipped Their Vote on LGBT Amendment, Setting Them Up for Attack”
“All three lawmakers are on the NRCC’s Patriot Program, the committee’s protection program for its most vulnerable members.
[…]
“The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tried to tie the Republicans’ motivation for switching their votes to an NRCC memo about the Patriot Program that was leaked last year. The memo included a provision that required members to submit a “written legislative strategy” to the NRCC.”
New York Times: “Amid Shouts of ‘Shame,’ House GOP Defeats Gay Rights Measure”
“The vote for Maloney’s amendment peaked at 217, beyond the majority needed for passage, before it began a sporadic decline. Members of the Republican leadership whose job is to round up needed votes were stalking the House aisles where GOP lawmakers seat, and they openly pleaded for support.
“’Need two more votes,’ Rep. Steve Russell, R-Okla., said loudly as he prowled among Republicans.”
Here is a round-up of just some local TV coverage so far: