Democratic leaders blast Golden for ‘blindside’ vote with Republicans
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden is facing fallout from his own party after voting with Republicans Tuesday in support of a procedural rule that narrowly passed.
Golden, who represents Maine’s 2nd District, and Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez, D-WA, were the only Democrats who voted in support of the legislation, which passed 210 to 208.
The narrow vote cleared the way to advance a number of Republican-led bills, including a measure condemning socialism and a bill on lobstering regulations that was co-sponsored by Golden and went on to pass the House. The bill delays the implementation of fishing regulations meant to protect the North Atlantic right whale population.
The vote by Golden represented an extraordinary move by a member of the minority party to help clear the path for the majority to debate and pass its agenda. Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, Whip Katherine Clark, D-CT, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-CA, issued a joint statement admonishing Golden and Glusenkamp Perez for their votes on the rule.
“The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” the leaders said. “It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
A spokesperson for Golden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Golden, who is not seeking reelection this year, told reporters in Washington, D.C. Tuesday that he backed the measure because it provided for passage of the lobstering bill, Politico reported.
“I think any member of Congress who introduces a bill for their constituents would be insane to turn around and sink a rule that contains that bill,” he said. “So I think that’s pretty straightforward, right? Like, you came here to represent some people, you got to stand by them when it counts.”
The lobstering bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Lawler, R-NY, now heads to the Senate. The bill extends the deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations that protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from certain lobster and crab fishing gear.
This is a developing story.