Steelman challenges Hulshof’s AIDs vote; he cites WH support
State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, a Republican candidate for governor, fired off an attack today contending that a recent congressional vote by the her GOP rival — U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof — is “another example of him being out of touch with the values of Missourians.”
Steelman cited Hulshof’s support last week “with the Democratic majority and against White House concerns” in favor of a $50 billion international AIDS package.
The program is currently funded “at only $15 billion,” she said, “so the increase was over 3 times the current appropriation.”
“This vote may make sense to Washington politicians, but it doesn’t make sense to the people of Missouri ,” said Steelman spokesman Doug Gaston. “We have people struggling to make ends meet here at home, and Congressman Hulshof has chosen to send $50 billion of our hard-earned tax dollars overseas. Congressman Hulshof is right; he and the Congress have earned their 8% approval rating.”
Gaston called the vote “another example of Washington fiscal irresponsibility vs. Missouri values, which is the defining difference between Hulshof and Steelman.”
“Sarah Steelman has a strong record of fighting for the taxpayers of Missouri , and unfortunately this vote is another example of Congressman Hulshof’s Washington-style big government, big-spending ways,” Gaston said.
The bill passed 308 - 116. Three of Missouri’s other Republicans in the House — Todd Akin of Town and Country, Roy Blunt of Strafford, and Sam Graves of Tarkio – opposed it.
UPDATE
Here’s the response from the Hulshof campaign:
“Kenny Hulshof believes that all human life is sacred and that humanitarian steps, especially those proven to be successful, are in keeping with Missouri values.
It is curious that Sarah Steelman would choose Kenny’s support of pro-life legislation as the first attack in this campaign.”
Hulshof spokesman Scott Baker also questioned the accuracy of Steelman’s assertion that the White House was concerned about the cost of the added AIDs allocation.
He referred to the official statement from the White House
Statement by the Press Secretary on House Bill Supporting PEPFAR
White House News
“Today the House of Representatives approved the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act. This strong bipartisan vote advances the reauthorization of the life-saving work of the PEPFAR program.
“This legislation preserves the important principles that have made PEPFAR successful. Since 2003, this program has supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for over 1.4 million people around the world, and supported prevention of mother-to-child transmission services for women during more than 10 million pregnancies. Through the successful A-B-C approach to prevention, PEPFAR is saving lives and helping to prevent the spread of this horrible epidemic.
“The President wants to thank the members of Congress who supported this legislation, particularly the hard work of House Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. He looks forward to working with the Senate, and hopes they will consider PEPFAR legislation soon.”
(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
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Sounds as though there was an overall majority in favor of passing the AIDS bill. Hulshof’s vote would not have made a difference anyhow.
AIDS and MRSA need to be fought aggressively before this pandemic wipes out our entire existence on Earth.