Politics & Government
'Honest Mistake': U.S. Rep. Kennedy's Nuclear Vote Was A Flub
What do you do when you make a whoopsie on a nuclear warhead vote for the Trump administration? Take to Twitter!
You know that embarrassing moment when you accidentally vote against blocking funding for a new nuclear weapon President Trump's administration is pushing for? No? Well, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III does.
Kennedy tweeted Friday that his odd vote in favor of funding work on a new nuclear weapon was "an honest mistake." Kennedy's admission came in response to a Twitter user asking how a "progressive champion" could check something off Trump's nuclear wishlist.
You’re right. Meant to vote yes — it was an honest mistake on my part. There is no need for these weapons. Keep up your advocacy @SPMiles42.
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) June 8, 2018
The vote was for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, sponsored by California Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee. The amendment was defeated, 241-177, with Kennedy one of 15 Democrats voting against Lee's proposal to block the Trump administration's request for $65 million to build a low-yield nuclear warhead.
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While it's hard to understand how someone could vote a yes-no question the wrong way, Kennedy's anti-Trump track record lends credit to his "whoops" claim. The Democrat, who represents Massachusetts' 4th congressional district, has shot to the forefront of his party. In January, Kennedy delivered the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union.
Kennedy is the great-nephew of John F. Kennedy.
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Kennedy's Democratic primary challenger Gary Rucinski didn't let the moment pass:
With everything at stake today every vote should have clear intention behind it, on the floor of the House - and in voting booths on September 4th. https://t.co/DJfOyO8pFu
— Gary Rucinski (@GaryRucinski) June 9, 2018
Some agreed, not taking too kindly to Kennedy's purported errant button-pressing.
I will be sure to not "accidentally" vote for you in 2020 primary... We need real leaders
— Jeffrey Frederick (@JeffWFrederick) June 11, 2018
Some, including Miles, appreciated the honesty.
Thanks, Congressman. Mistakes happen! That's actually one of the best reasons to make sure we don't create more "usable" nukes. Also a great reason to join @tedlieu and sponsor HR 669 to make sure Trump can't "mistakenly" launch a nuclear war by himself!
— Stephen Miles (@SPMiles42) June 8, 2018
(Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for RFK Human Rights )
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