Louisiana Lawmakers Vote On Federal Aid
by Deborah Barfield Berry - The Town Talk (excerpt)

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama signed an emergency aid package into law Tuesday that includes $522 million in federal funding to expand Louisiana's Medicaid program and save 2,800 education jobs. Earlier Tuesday, the House voted 247-161 for the legislation, which will send $26 billion in federal funding to states. Lawmakers returned to Washington for a special session to vote on the package. The Senate passed the measure 61-39 last week.

Republican Rep. John Fleming voted against the measure, saying, "Congress should not be funneling more money into the failed stimulus bill" when the federal deficit has eclipsed $13 trillion and unemployment is near 10 percent. "Families across this country are being forced to tighten their belts and balance their budgets," Fleming said. "It's time for government to do the same." Louisiana Republican Rep. Anh Joseph Cao broke with his party to vote for the measure. Louisiana Republican Reps. Bill Cassidy, Rodney Alexander and Steve Scalise voted against it. GOP Rep. Charles Boustany did not vote.

Scalise called the Democratic-run Congress "tone deaf," saying the measure creates "more spending, more taxes and just continuing with this bailout mentality." Rep. Charlie Melancon, Louisiana's only Democratic congressman, voted for the measure.