Government spending continues to be a trend for this Congress, and it seems that Virginia’s U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner seem to embrace this trend. In 2008, then Candidate Warner promised to be fiscally responsible and reduce government spending. Since being in office, he has supported the stimulus plan, as well as the health care bill that is now being debated in a joint conference committee in Congress.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, former U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. discussed in an interview that he is appalled by Warner’s decisions to vote for the health care bill.

“When a Virginia Democrat is elected to the Congress — Senate or House — he or she must decide whether to vote the party line or vote the Virginia tradition of financial responsibility,” said Byrd, who turned 95 on Dec. 20.

“Hundreds of thousands of Virginians — independents and conservative Democrats who voted for Mr. Warner — must be puzzled by his votes.”

Meanwhile, Senator Warner defended his actions.

A Warner spokesman defended the votes, saying that a federal stimulus package stabilized the economy, while reform of the health system can help control the deficit.

Byrd was originally a Democrat, who switched to an Independent status, because he was dissatisfied by the party’s embrace of funding government programs with deficit spending. Byrd also endorsed Warner in 2008, but there is no doubt that he, along with others from both sides of the aisle, are regretting their support now.