Edwards receives praise from opponent

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards received a thumbs up from her Republican opponent, Peter James, for her vote against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The U.S. House failed on Monday to pass the $700 billion bailout package for the financial sector, prompting markets to post record losses.

Edwards (D-Fort Washington) voted against the bill yesterday, splitting with the majority of Democrats in Maryland's Congressional delegation. Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Baltimore) also voted against the measure.

"This legislation would have done little to help the hard working people in my district.  After careful consideration, I could not support this bailout," said Edwards in a statement on Monday.

James encouraged Congress to return the nation to a system of "just money" and criticized the current financial structure.

"Congress holds the power to issue our money interest free directly from the US Treasury," said James in a statement. "This would create zero public debt. Currently, the private banking monopoly issues the nations money only as debt that bears interest. This interest can never be repaid and has grown to such a level that the system can't be sustained."

Edwards won the 4th Congressional District seat after defeating James in a special election this summer. She will face him again in November.

The Edwards campaign was contacted for comment but has not responded.

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