Rehberg Opposes Homeland Security, then Claims Credit

Rep. Rehberg sets new bar for political hypocrisy

HELENA – Rep. Dennis Rehberg’s bizarre pattern of voting against Montana projects and then claiming credit for them continued this week when he voted against new Homeland Security funding, then immediately took credit for the bill’s passage.

Last week, Rehberg voted against the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which contained much-needed and long-awaited funds for Emergency Operations Centers in Butte and Whitefish.  The very same day, Rehberg sent a press release boasting he had secured the same funds he voted against minutes earlier.

“Rep. Rehberg’s actions are at the height of hypocrisy, as he tries to be for and against something in the very same day,” said Kate Downen, spokeswoman for the Montana Democratic Party. “At some point, he’s going to have to level with the people of Montana and be honest about what he does or doesn’t support. He can’t have it both ways.”

Rehberg wove his path of deception throughout the state of Montana, where he misled the Great Falls Tribune into writing a story about the funds, as if he’d supported them every step of the way.

In addition, The Homeland Security Appropriations Act also provides billions for more border security infrastructure, more Customs and Border Patrol officers, and assistance to firefighters and other first responders.

“Unfortunately for Montanans, their lone Congressman has been living in this alternate reality for some time, running all over Montana, cutting ribbons at facilities he voted against funding,” said Downen. “Politics has no place when it comes to providing new jobs and security for Montanans.”

OTHER PROJECTS DENNIS REHBERG VOTED AGAINST, THEN CLAIMED CREDIT FOR...

• After Rehberg voted against the 2009 Appropriations Bill and $285,000 in funding for Missoula's Poverello Center, he attended a press conference and tried to say he really supports the Poverello Center.
• Rehberg tried to tell Montanans he protected the " Last Best Place" slogan for Montana, yet he voted against it when he voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
• Rehberg wants Montanans to think he secured funding for rural Montana water systems like the St. Mary's Rehabilitation Project, Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Water System and the Rocky Boy's/North Central Regional Water System.  But he voted against them when he voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
• Rehberg agreed funding for critical projects like Benefis Health Care in Great Falls and the Kalispell Bypass is "great news," but he voted against them the next day when he voted against the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.