Ken Mehlman impliedly criticizes 30+ House Republicans

By Lee Russ

Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 05:40 PM

Who would vote against a "most important law [that] protects the most fundamental right of every American?"  Thirty-three Republicans, according to RNC head Ken Mehlman.

Upon the House reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act, Mehlman released the following statement on July 13:

Congratulations to the House of Representatives for re- authorizing the Voting Rights Act. This most important law protects the most fundamental right of every American. Along with the Civil Rights Act and Open Housing law, the Voting Rights Act stands as one of the great moral achievements of the 20th century. It is aptly dedicated to the lives of two of America's heroes - Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks. I look forward to Senate passage of this important law so that President Bush can sign the bill and renew this important commitment to democracy.

That certainly sounds good, like Mehlman and the Republicans are huge fans of the legislation, and cognizant of its historical context.  Only problem is that 33 of the House Republicans voted against the reauthorization, and were the only "No" votes recorded.

According to the House web site, these Representatives are the only ones who voted "No" on the reauthorization (HR-9; each & every one is a Republican):

Baker
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bonner
Burton (IN)
Campbell (CA)
Conaway
Deal (GA)
Doolittle
Duncan
Everett
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett (NJ)
Gingrey
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Johnson, Sam
King (IA)
Linder
McHenry
Miller, Gary
Norwood
Paul
Price (GA)
Rohrabacher
Royce
Shadegg
Tancredo
Thornberry
Westmoreland