Backbencher of the Week

Just before Congress took its July 4th recess, the House passed the Waxman-Markley climate change bill that included a primitive version of a cap-and-trade system.  The bill barely passed 219-212 with 44 Democrats voting against the bill.  With 44 Democrats voting no, the bill passed, in part, because 8 Republicans voted aye.

One of the 8 Republicans is Rep. Mary Bono Mack(R-CA-45).  Rep. Bono Mack was first elected to Congress to fill the open seat of her late husband Rep. Sonny Bono(yes, that Sonny Bono).  Currently, she is married to Florida Congressman Rep. Connie Mack IV.

Rep. Bono Mack, and the other 7 Republicans who voted aye, are now targets of conservative ire.  Unlike the other 7, Rep. Bono Mack also voted on the opposite side from her husband.  For standing against both party and family connections, and voting for a first step in addressing climate change, we are glad to award this week's Backbencher of the Week to Rep. Mary Bono Mack.