Oil drilling, ag cuts spur 'no' vote; Rep. Johnson parts with GOP on budget

April 30, 2005
By Kurt Erickson

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson says he expects to catch heat from his fellow Republicans in the coming months for his vote Thursday against a federal budget plan.

The Urbana Republican was among just 15 GOP colleagues who broke ranks and voted "no" for the $2.57 trillion spending package, which calls for cuts to Medicaid, agriculture and education.

Johnson said he's "virtually certain" that he will be "punished" for his vote when it comes to doling out dollars for his district.

But, he added, "I'm hopeful that people will be more visionary than to use intimidation to affect people's votes."

In Illinois , Johnson was the only Republican to vote against the measure, which passed the House on a narrow 214-211 vote. Among those voting "yes" for the budget were Republican U.S. Reps. Ray LaHood of Peoria and Jerry Weller of Morris.

Johnson said he was "deeply concerned" about a provision that will lead to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in addition to the reductions in spending on agriculture, education and aid to poor people

"This vote will mean the permanent degradation of the Arctic refuge," Johnson said.

LaHood said the budget resolution achieved his goal of cutting the federal budget deficit. It projects a budget deficit of $382 billion, down from this year's $427 billion and $412 billion last year.

"We've got to make an effort to try to hold the line," LaHood said. "It's the best that we could do. This is a very austere budget."

"I think it's a budget that reflects the idea that we're going to hold the line on spending," LaHood said.

As for possible cuts to farm spending programs, Johnson said his vote reflects the concerns of many farmers the 15th Congressional District, which covers a huge swath of east-central Illinois , including parts of Bloomington-Normal.

"I represent the best agricultural district in the country, and I'm real concerned," Johnson said.

Although he didn't point to any specific threats from fellow congressmen, Johnson said retaliation could come in the form of withholding money for projects in the district, such as a new bridge over the Wabash River or funding for Amtrak-related projects.

But, he said, "I will not be intimidated. I will vote what I think is in the best interest of the 15th Congressional District and my conscience. I won't be bought and sold on issues that are important to the future of America ."

It remains difficult to tell exactly how the budget will affect Illinoisans because details of the cuts have not been decided yet.