We hear Billy Long will arrive in Washington DC later this evening and will face some critical votes this week. Republicans are pushing spending bills that are going to put the new Congressman on the spot, because Paul Ryan's budget only cuts $32 billion from federal spending--far from the $100 billion Long promised constituents in Southwest Missouri. Why is this important?
On Friday night, Congressman Long told the News-Leader he can't drive or fly.
Long said the snowy weather doesn't bother him because he has a four-wheel drive, but he can't drive now because of his foot.
"They won't let me drive in this boot, and they won't let me fly," he said.
Now earlier today, I suggested how convenient it was for Congressman Long, during this week of critical votes that will decide just how conservative these new Republicans are, to be injured and can't fly on doctor's orders to Washington to cast his critical votes, alluding to future campaign rhetoric where the foot will become the excuse for not going to Washington this critical week and fighting for deeper spending cuts. However, it appears Long is headed to Washington according to officials in his office, which means once again I am confused about what Congressman Long told the News-Leader. He said he can't drive his F150 with Bozo the Clown on the dash and he can't fly either. Yet, today his staff in Washington DC says Long will be in Washington this evening for the critical votes this week.
The votes this week will show who the true Billy Long is. Will he vote with the Republican establishment who have failed to deliver responsible spending cuts, or will he vote against the establishment and live up to his "fed up" rhetoric. I guess the real question here is why did Long decide to fly if his doctors told him not to fly.
