Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA 5) dissects partisan gridlock in Washington
AMERICAN CANYON — Partisan division between Democrats and Republicans is not responsible for gridlock in Congress, it’s the deep divide among Republicans in the House of Representatives, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, told a group of about 50 people Tuesday.
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Thompson described the recent House debate on the farm bill as “emblematic” of the problem. Republicans, after getting what they wanted — including cuts of $20 billion and work requirements to the food stamp program — wound up voting against the final bill, according to Thompson, for fear of right-wing challenges from within their party.
“The big divide today is House Republican against House Republican,” Thompson said. “John Boehner is hamstrung; hamstrung (by members of his own party).”
Thompson said despite their political differences, he considers Boehner a friend. “I think he’s a good guy,” said Thompson who described Boehner as “an institutionalist.”
http://napavalleyregister.com/eagle/news/local/rep-mike-thompson-dissects-partisan-gridlock-in-washington/article_e2f5f6ba-e37b-11e2-83b8-001a4bcf887a.html
Thompson is one of 15 Blue Dogs in the 113th Congress, and Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
