Today the House of Representatives has votes against the Delta Queen exemption as an amendment to the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill 195 to 208 votes. There is a detailed list on which Representative has voted for or against the Delta Queen available at the website of the Office of the Clerk of the House.
What does that mean to the Delta Queen: actually not much! It was very close and there had been more Democrats (total: 22) voting for the DQ than we have Democrats on the list of co-sponsors for the stand-alone bill.
What can we do? Continue to talk to people, raise attention for our cause, show everyone how much we love the Delta Queen and how much we also love the other two boats, the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen! The three boats belong to the river and they need to be run by a strong company that is aware both of the historical importance of the Delta Queen and the unique cruise experience that all three boats have to offer to generations of passengers to come.
We will save the Delta Queen if we’re patient enough and if we find even more supporters all around the country.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE PEOPLE THAT APPROVE ITEMS THAT WE PEOPLE OF UNITED STATES HAVE TO OBEY, COULD VOTE “NO” ON AN ISSUE LIKE SAVING THE DELTA QUEEN. THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT WE CAN SEND OUR MEN AND WOMEN TO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM BUT A FEW MEN AND WOMEN WHO HELPED SEND THEM THERE CAN NOT APPROVE SAVING PART OF OUR HISTORY. WHAT IS THE FUTURE WITHOUT IT’S PAST. WHY FIGHT FOR OUR SAFETY WHEN YOU PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON D.C. ARE TAKING AWAY OUR FREEDOMS EVERY DAY. THIS IS A VERY SAD DAY FOR EVERYONE, WHAT’S NEXT THAT YOU PEOPLE FEEL ISN’T IMPORTANT, THE WHITE HOUSE, LINCOLN MEMORIAL, THEY ARE PART OF HISTORY AND CAN CRUMPLE OR CATCH ON FIRE AND KILL MANY. THE DELTA QUEEN IS SAFER THEN DRIVING A CAR. AGAIN, I AM TRULY SORRY THAT YOU WHO VOTED “NO” CAN’T SEE THE DAMAGE THIS WILL BE FOR ALL OF OUR FUTURE.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:06 am
You need to let supporters know when a bill is coming to the floor for a vote. I would have reached out to the New Jersey Democrats had I known that this was to be voted on.
April 26th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Timothy, we would have done but we didn’t know about it until a couple of minutes befor the debate. The Rules Committee refused to amend the exemption bill to the Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill that day, but eventually the amendment ended up for vote in the House anyway, last minute and too late to notify anyone of it.
Please, check how your Representative has votes and giv him/her a call when he/she voted against the exemption. We’ll continue our rally to get the exemption and the stand-alone bill is still in the Transportation Committee. That vote was by far not the last chance for the DQ and we more than ever need the support of as many representatives as possible.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
This is by far the most ridiculous group of politicians ever to work within the walls of the Capital Building. A simple issue such as this should have passed with flying colors. Because of petty ignorance from them, the Delta Queen may meet her demise in Novemeber. It is my belief that since a Republican proposed the bill, most Democrats voted it down because they feel it would have been another piece of legislation passed by the Republicans. I am a loyal Democrat and sit here today in disgust as I think of this theory. Thanks to you Rep. Oberstar and the people who sided with you, a historic and grand vessel, more glorious and more famous than you will ever be, will be gone for good soon. Thanks again for letting yet another historic icon go extinct possibly. I hope you are satisfied with being the man who helped rob the inland waterways of it’s most precious jewel.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:49 am
I am lifelong Democrat as well, and I am sickened by the behavior of the Democrats in congress that voted against the Queen. I called the offices of James Chabot and Jean Schmidt…both Republicans in my home state….and thanked them for voting in favor of the Queen.
History repeats itself. James Oberstar of today is the Edward Garmatz of 30 years ago. Both now can share the same legacy as being WRONG for the Delta Queen and WRONG for the people of this country who vote!
Garmatz was stopped. Oberstar can be stopped to. People in his district should be outraged and vote him out of office!
Senior citizens make up a large portion of Delta Queen passengers. In fact, it was the older people in my family who introduced me to steamboats and the Delta Queen. Has anyone contacted the AARP about helping to save the Queen?
I hope the Great Steamboat Race will bring coverage and support to the cause. In the mean time….I’m calling my local representative to express my extreme displeasure that she choose not to vote.