Top Story: Oklahoma, now is a very good time to get to know the two men who represent you in the Senate — because they’re playing politics with your disaster relief.
- Oklahoma’s two Republican senators made sure everyone knew they were against tornado disaster aid for their state unless there were offsets. (Roll Call)
- And before you cry “hypocrite!” just know that Sen. Inhofe thinks Oklahoma tornado aid he’ll vote for is “totally different” from the “slush fund” Hurricane Sandy aid he voted against. (msnbc)
- But, yes, you should cry “hypocrite!” And then almost immediately read this piece by Salon’s Joan Walsh. (Salon)
- “There is no legitimate fiscal or economic case for demanding disaster aid be offset. It’s pure ideology.” (Ben White)
- In fact, remind yourself how your representative voted on Hurricane Sandy relief. (Pro Publica)
- Of course, it sounds like Sen. Coburn is trying to slowly walk back a comment he probably didn’t need to make less than 24 hours after the disaster. (Chad Pergram)
- It also doesn’t sound like their fellow Republicans are flocking to the senators’ defense. (Chad Pergram) and (Amanda Terkel)
- Sen. Coburn, for one, is an old hand at undermining disaster relief aid. (Think Progress)
- House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer claims “House Dems are prepared to be the majority of YES votes” on an Oklahoma tornado aid bill. (Frank Thorp V)
- It might also help to offset the sort of tax breaks that turn billionaires into, well, bigger billionaires. (Jonathan Larsen)
- Mind you, this entire argument may end up being academic: “Don’t assume there needs to be an actual vote on tornado aid to Okla. FEMA has $13B in emergency relief funds left for FY ’13.” (Marty Kady)
- One — admittedly early — estimate of the damage has it reaching $2 billion. (CNBC)
John Flowers