Thumbs down: Texas, Florida pols say no to hurricane relief

Thumbs down to the four Texas congressmen and their two Florida colleagues who voted against disaster relief for hurricane victims in their states. Congress moved quickly to approve a $15.25 billion aid bill after Hurricane Harvey slammed Texas and as Hurricane Irma tore across the Caribbean toward Florida. The one-two punch upended tens of thousands of people’s lives and damaged homes, businesses and public facilities in several states.

When the relief bill came up to the House floor, “no” votes were cast by Texas Reps. Joe Barton, Jeb Hensarling, Sam Johnson and Mac Thornberry and Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz and John Yoho. They were unhappy that the bill also contained provisions to keep federal agencies open when the new fiscal year starts on Oct. 1 and to raise the debt ceiling so the government can pay its bills. Yoho called it “immoral,” and Gaetz called it a case of “generational theft.” The Houston Chronicle may have said it best in an editorial addressing the Texas congressmen: “May the Arkema chemical plant open a branch by their homes.”