Boustany, Landry Split on Big Debt Limit Vote

This could be interesting in Louisiana: two Members, one party, one district, two different votes on a key piece of legislation.

The likely Member-versus-Member primary between GOP Reps. Jeff Landry and Charles Boustany, who were drawn together as a result of redistricting, may have a new twist. Boustany, who is serving his 4th term and is seen as close with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), voted for the Budget Control Act.

Landry did not, and slammed the party establishment in a statement: “I’m sure by Washington standards, today’s deal is a great accomplishment; but by American standards, it comes up short.” He added what sounded like a jab at his colleagues who voted yes. “As evident [sic] by my decision today, I stand with the American people and choose to put the next generation above my next election.”

Boustany said in a statement that his vote “was the right thing to do for the people of Louisiana and for America.” He added the act “upholds the Republican principles we demanded — no tax increases, cuts greater than the increase in the debt limit and advancing the balanced budget amendment.”

Another instance in which Landry differentiated himself from his colleagues took place in early June. Landry declined to attend a meeting of House Republicans with President Barack Obama. Boustany and the rest of the Louisiana GOP delegation attended.

Boustany ended June with more than $1 million in cash on hand; Landry had $191,000.

via Boustany, Landry Split on Big Debt Limit Vote.