Carney says patience needed on bailout bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock), who voted no on the $700 billion bailout package today, urged patience on passing a rescue bill.

“You can’t do legislation of this magnitude with a gun to your head,” said Carney, who emerged from the floor vote with U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Upper Uwlchlan Township). Both congressmen voted against the package. “We’ve got a historic opportunity here to get it right.”

Carney, who is serving his first term in the House, suggested that House members had been incorrectly pressured into accepting the terms of the bailout.

“We were told 10 days ago that the sky would fall if we didn’t act, and it didn’t fall,” he said.

Asked what it was like on the floor during the vote, Carney responded with a one-word answer.

“Historic.”