DeFazio Blames Stimulus Switch on Too Many Tax Cuts

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), the only House Democrat who had switched his vote to eventually vote against the stimulus package signed into law this week, attributed his change of heart to the addition of too many tax cuts in the conference version of the bill.

DeFazio, one of seven Democrats to vote against the package on Friday, told National Public Radio (NPR) that the increased tax cuts and spending cuts added by the Senate to the stimulus bill compelled him to vote against the plan.

“We’ve gotta be very careful how the money is spent, and what I favor are things that are going to provide benefits to future generations,” he told NPR Wednesday. “A lot of spending on education, spending on infrastructure was cut. We’ve tried tax cuts…What’s different?”

DeFazio said he hoped the Obama administration has learned not to compromise as much with congressional Republicans — none of whom in the House voted for the initial or conference version of the bill.

“I think it’s good he made the effort,” he added. “I hope it’s also a learning experience.”

Listen to the whole interview here.