Embattled U.S. House Speaker John Boehner won re-election as speaker today on the first day of the new session of Congress. However he didn't get unanimous support from House Republicans.Nine House Republicans voted for other candidates. New Mexico's Steve Pearce was one of those. He voted for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
Asked why Pearce voted that way, his spokesman Eric Layer replied in an email:
“Congressman Pearce is looking for a new direction for the Republican-led House, and a new voice in future negotiations. He was unable to support the tax plan brought before the House on Tuesday, believing that it sent the wrong message that raising taxes is the solution when it is clear we have a spending problem not a tax problem. Instead of the same old Washington politics, Congressman Pearce believes it is time for both parties to step forward and boldly solve the country’s problems.”
The Fix, the Washington Post's political blog summed up the reasons for Pearce's vote in two words: "Very Conservative."
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