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Meadows votes no on Sandy relief

By Bill Moss, Published: January 7, 2013

U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, the new 11th District congressman who won the redrawn seat formerly held by Heath Shuler, wasted no time confirming his conservative bona fides.

The freshman Republican from Highlands was among 67 representatives who voted against the bill sending $9.7 billion in Hurricane Sandy relief to the Norheast. The no votes were all cast by Republicans as the measure won handily, 354-67, on the first day of the 113th Congress on Friday.

Meadows was joined by two other Republican freshmen, George Holding and Richard Hudson, and veteran Rep. Virginia Foxx in casting no votes. Meadows, a first-time political office holder, emerged from a crowded Republican primary field with strong Tea Party support despite efforts by his runoff opponent, Vance Patterson of Morganton, to claim the Tea Party mantle going back to the 2010 election.