The Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) today condemned Republican Rep. Greg Steube and Sen. Rick Scott for failing to vote on yesterday’s Continuing Resolution to keep the government open.
SARASOTA – With Hurricane Helene barreling down on Florida, the Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) today condemned Republican Rep. Greg Steube and Sen. Rick Scott for not even voting on yesterday’s Continuing Resolution to keep the government open.
“Not even the danger of one of the worst hurricanes to hit the Gulf coast in memory could get Steube and Scott to do their jobs,” said Manny Lopez, the Democratic congressional candidate running to unseat Steube in the 17th Congressional District.
Steube was one of only nine House members and Scott one of only four senators not to cast a vote to keep the government open. The measure passed overwhelmingly 341-82 in the House and 78-18 in the Senate.
“Actually working for his constituents is not Steube's strong point,” noted Lopez. “Whenever there’s been a crucial bipartisan vote in Congress, he’s either voted no or not even voted. Just imagine for a moment what would have happened if the government shut down while Helene was headed for us.”
Even Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “It would be political malpractice to shut the government down.”
Johnson, as he has had to repeatedly because of the extremists like Steube in his caucus, again turned to Democrats to supply the bulk of the votes after the extremists said they would not support the legislation because it would not cut spending and did not include a measure imposing new proof-of-citizenship requirements on voter registration.
“The United States has never required its citizens to prove their citizenship in order to vote,” Lopez noted. “Yet Steube and Scott would have preferred to let the government shut down in order to achieve this absurd voter restriction.”
The Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) is the local committee of the Florida Democratic Party. The mission of the SCDP is to encourage the fullest participation by all voters who believe in true freedom and fairness in our society. We stand up for justice, equality, and opportunity for our citizens and support qualified candidates who will promote these goals. Learn more at www.sarasotadems.org.
Contact: Daniel Kuether, SCDP Chair, daniel.kuether@sarasotadems.org 941-330-9400
