Perriello Votes to Overturn 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'

Friday, May 28, 2010

While Virginia's Fifth District sees record unemployment, Rep. Perriello focuses on pushing Obama and Pelosi's social agenda

Chatham, VA - Last night, Rep. Perriello voted to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' military policy. It would be normal for many people in Virginia's Fifth District to wonder "With our country at war, soldiers' dying overseas and terrorists planning everyday to strike on U.S. soil, why are Rep. Perriello and his liberal allies spending time on liberal social issues?" The Los Angeles Times believes that it's because:
 
"Activists and supporters of repealing "don't ask, don't tell" fear that Republicans will make enough gains in November to block a repeal in the next Congress. The activists pushed lawmakers and the White House to add an amendment repealing the ban to this year's Defense Authorization Act, which is moving through Congress."(Julian E. Barnes, "Details of the measure to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'," Los Angeles Times 5/28/2010)
 
 
On the campaign trail in 2008, Tom Perriello promised to make job creation his top priority. Since his time in office Fifth District families and businesses have seen unemployment rates rise to record levels(see here) . Rep. Perriello has spent the majority of his time in Congress focused on a government run healthcare bill that the majority of his constituents oppose(PPP Poll Results), a cap and trade bill that would increase taxes on already struggling small businesses, and an $800 billion stimulus package that has put our country further into debt and failed to create the jobs that were promised.
 
 
After Rep. Perriello voted to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, state Senator and conservative Republican for Virginia's Fifth Congressional District, Robert Hurt released the following the statement:
 
"I find it appalling that while we have soldiers dying for our country, unemployment rates as high as 22% in some parts of the Fifth District and a national debt that has reached over $13 trillion dollars, Rep. Perriello is focused on pushing through Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama's liberal social agenda.
 
Rep. Perriello promised to make job creation his number one priority - he hasn't. He promised that if we passed a trillion dollar stimulus package, it would help unemployment in our district - it hasn't. He has spent the past year and a half representing Nancy Pelosi and liberal special interest groups, while Virginia families have lost jobs and seen their 401K's disappear.
 
We need leadership in Washington that will focus on promoting job growth and cutting wasteful government spending and make our Congress focus on things that will get our economy moving again - not divisive social issues. I have pledged to the people of the Fifth District that I will run a campaign focused on creating jobs, and once elected, I will keep my promise and fight get our government focused on Virginians' top priorities and not those of special interest groups."









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