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Home > Window on Washington > Archives > 2008 > September > 29 > Entry
All seven Georgia Republicans reject bailout plan
WASHINGTON—All seven of Georgia’s Republican House members joined all but two of the Democrats Monday in voting against the Bush administration’s $700 billion plan to shore up the nation’s financial markets.
Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon, a Democrat who said he was willing to back the unpopular package even if it meant losing his seat in November, joined Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, in voting yes.
The proposal went down by a surprise 228-205 margin after Republicans refused to back their party leadership.
“Our leadership weren’t elected by the people of our districts,” said Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, who received a call from the Republican House leaders a few minutes before he voted against the proposal.
Gingrey and the other Georgia lawmakers have received a torrent of emails and phone calls from angry voters urging them to oppose what many considered a taxpayers’ bailout for firms that were guilty of greed or worse.
Rep. Tom Price, R-Roswell, blamed a “lack of leadership” by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for the failure to pass a rescue plan. Price said it would have received “overwhelming support” if it had included more protections for taxpayers, embraced private enterprise solutions and had a clear “exit” policy for ending the program.
Price said he expected the House would try again “later this week.” The House adjourned for the Jewish new year’s holiday but could be recalled at any time by the speaker.
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