Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana claims his party leaders deceived him to secure his vote on the “rule” to bring up the spending bill to avert a government shutdown, which narrowly passed on Thursday night.
“Earlier today, I supported the Rule because I was informed by Leadership that the CROmnibus was dead and a short term CR would take its place. I was very surprised and even more disappointed to see the CROmnibus back on the floor,” he said in a statement. “The American people deserve better.”
Stutzman’s vote was key to passing the rule, which was necessary to permit the bill for a full House vote — it passed by a razor-thin margin of 214-212. He voted against final passage of the bill, which succeeded 219-206 after hours of drama and uncertainty as to whether the legislation would come up.
A House GOP leadership aide didn’t immediately return a request for comment on the highly unusual allegation by Stutzman.
Earlier this year the Indiana Republican, who rode into Congress on the 2010 tea party wave, lost his bid to replace ascending Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as the next House majority whip.
[h/t Matt Fuller of Roll Call]
