Sen: DeWine (R) Contradicts Ad by Voting "No" on Firefighter Funding

This week incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Cedarville) is running a TV ad proclaiming his support for firefighters. Today, however, DeWine voted against $16 billion in funding for first responders including firefighters. The effect of his vote is to provide that money to people whose income is over $1,000,000 instead.

The vote came on Senate Amendment 4641 to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007. The stated purpose was to "fund urgent priorities for our Nation's firefighters, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical personnel, and all Americans by reducing the tax breaks for individuals with annual incomes in excess of $1,000,000." The amendment failed 62 to 38, largely along party lines.

Challenger Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Avon) was all over it:

Senator DeWine can pay announcers to claim he supports firefighters, but his votes reveal where his loyalties really are. When given a choice today, DeWine chose to support millionaires over Ohio firefighters and other first responders. Not only is this shameful for those hardworking individuals, but not having sufficient funding threatens the security of all Ohioans. ... That DeWine blatantly chooses to underfund first responders while running an ad claiming support for firefighters is disingenuous and insulting to Ohio families. It’s time for someone in the Senate who fights for Ohio, not just for millionaires.