(As of yesterday (November 21st) there are now 92 -- 92! -- Co-Sponsors, including 19 -- 19! -- GOPers. While Walz' proposed legislation is clearly non-partisan, Paulsen hasn't signed on. Why? My best explanation is: GOP party bosses haven't told him to.
As of yesterday (November 21st), all four Minnesota DFL Representatives are on-board; none of the four Minnesota GOPer Representatives have signed on.
As of yesterday (November 17th), there are now 65 -- 65! -- Co-Sponsors on Tim Walz' Bill; none of 'em are named "Paulsen." While Paulsen couldn't take the time to sign on to Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge - he DID take the time to prove, once again, that GOPers Believe In States Rights (except when they don't). - promoted by TwoPuttTommy)
Update - 09 December 2011: there are now 222 Co-Sponsors - and finally - FINALLY - Paulsen is one of 'em. To be fair, "Bachmann" nor "Cravaack" nor "Kline" have.
Update - 08 December 2011: there are now 202 Co-Sponsors - and still, none of them are named "Paulsen".
Update - 07 December 2011: there are now 180 Co-Sponsors
Update - 03 December 2011: there are now 153 Co-Sponsors
Update - 02 December 2011: there are now 141 Co-Sponsors -- and a Star Tribune editorial, too.
Update - 01 December 2011: there are now 131 Co-Sponsors
Update - 30 November 2011: there are now 117 Co-Sponsors -- and still, none of them are named "Paulsen." Well, to be fair: none are named "Bachmann" nor "Cravaack" nor "Kline"...
(co-sponsor numbers updated - 23 November 2011)
 Back on March 17th, Tim Walz, D-MN01 introduced H.R. 1178 - the "Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge" (STOCK) Act. Through November 4th, it only had 9 co-sponsors. Then last Sunday night, "60 Minutes" ran a story: "Congress: Trading stock on inside information?"
Now there are 28 99 co-sponsors - including two twenty two republicans (as of 11-22-11) - but neither is Erik Paulsen, R=TargetCorp. Well, to be fair, nor is it his Tea Party pal Michele Bachmann, either.
No, the two lonely GOPers signing on with the 26 Democrats in the House are Rep Schilling, IL-17 and Rep Herrera Beutler, WA-03 - both after the story broke.
OK, Bachmann has an excuse - well, a couple of 'em: she never signs on to bills she's never written a bill that's actually become law, and since presumably God told her to run for Prez, she's never in D.C. anyway.
Paulsen? no excuse - because when push comes to shove, he'll always take the corporate line on every issue. Walz' bill takes dead-aim at profiteering by the financial industry trading on insider information; part of an industry Jon Collins at MN Indy took a look at back in July: "Minnesota lawmakers who voted against consumer agency are flush with banking cash". The sub? "Paulsen leads delegation in industry contributions, $74,400 since 2009".
After watching the "60 Minutes" story, Brian Barnes - who is seeking the DFL endorsement to unseat Paulsen said this:
"Moments ago I finished watching a shocking report on 60 Minutes about members of Congress using insider information they gain from their office to line their own pockets-oftentimes at the expense of the American people.
"This reprehensible practice-which would land business people in jail-should be banned immediately. Therefore, I am asking Rep. Erik Paulsen to join with me in condemning the members of both parties who have engaged this insider trading they themselves made legal. I am also calling on the congressman to sponsor legislation to make this disgusting conduct what it should be-criminal."
To recap - since the story broke, two twenty two (as of 11-22-11) GOPer House Members have shown the courage to co-sponsor Walz' bill, neither none of them are Paulsen.
Don't expect Paulsen to sign on any time soon; bucking the GOP's Boardroom Base just simply isn't in Erik Paulsen's nature.
Taking care of the GOP's Boardroom Base is. |
