Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart Don't Show Up for America's Troops and Veterans, Won't Show Up for Debates

Representatives Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart have been noticeably absent lately.  Yesterday, Mario Diaz-Balart pulled out of a debate with Democratic Candidate Joe Garcia on issues affecting working families. Today, Lincoln Diaz-Balart is expected to also be a no-show at a similar forum with Raul Martinez.

Earlier this month, the Diaz–Balart brothers also failed to show up for America’s troops and veterans.  When both Representatives were supposed to vote “Yes” or “No” on a bill to fund our troops in Iraq, they chose to do nothing.  And when both Representatives could have stood up for Florida’s veterans by supporting the first expansion to the GI Bill since World War II, they voted against it.

“Representatives Lincoln and Mario Diaz–Balart have failed to show up when it comes to issues that matter for Florida,” said Kyra Jennings, DCCC Southern Regional Press Secretary. “The people of South Florida deserve leaders who will stand up for our brave men and women on the battlefield and when they return home, and who aren’t scared to talk about the issues that matter to working families.”

To hold Lincoln and Mario Diaz–Balart accountable for their failure for our troops and veterans, the DCCC ran radio ads in the Representatives’ districts over Memorial Day weekend noting their votes.

Background

* The First Amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Bill would have provided $183.7 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This amendment failed by a vote of 141–149 with Lincoln and Mario Diaz–Balart voting “Present.”  [HR 2642, #328 ClerkHouse.Gov/evs/2008/roll328.xml 5/15/08]

* Lincoln and Mario Diaz–Balart opposed the Third Amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Bill, which expanded the GI bill for the first time since World War II to provide a free college education for veterans [HR 2642, #330 clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll330.xml, 5/15/08]