Berkley to vote ‘yes’ on bailout

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., will vote for the current version of a $700 billion economic recovery package when it comes before the House today, her office said.

Berkley, along with Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against an earlier version of the bill, which was defeated 228-205 Monday in the House. Rep. Jon Porter, D-Nev., who voted for the bill on Monday, said he is likely to support the new version as well.

"I like what I've seen so far," Porter said. "I support the new provisions provided by the Senate, and I'm also convinced we need to take action now."

The Senate added $110 billion in tax breaks for alternative energy development and sales tax deductions for Nevada among other things.

"Nevada continues to lead the nation in foreclosures, homes have seen a record drop in prices and just in the last 24 hours we have seen an analysis that says Nevada is in a recession and a prediction that unemployment will climb to more than 8 percent statewide in the near future," Berkley spokesman David Cherry said in a statement. "There is no question Nevadans are in the eye of the economic storm. Given the challenges we face in Las Vegas and across the nation, Congresswoman Berkley carefully considered every provision in the Senate package passed Wednesday evening and will vote yes on the legislation."

Cherry said a majority of calls and e-mails to the congresswoman's office still oppose the legislation, but a growing number were urging her to support the bill that passed the Senate Wednesday night by a vote of 74-25.

"Still, this is a bill like none other in history and whatever the outcome of (today's) vote, Congresswoman Berkley knows that we are sailing in uncharted waters and that even the experts cannot say with 100 percent certainty what will happen with the global economy in the coming weeks and months," Cherry said.

Heller declined a request for an interview Thursday.

Supporters of the Senate bill have warned a financial catastrophe could occur unless the bill is approved by the House and signed into law by President Bush.

Sens. John Ensign and Harry Reid, D-Nev., supported the Senate bill.

Reid, the Senate majority leader, said he has not talked to Nevadans in the House about today's vote.

Contact reporter Tony Batt at tbatt@ stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.