Barton, a 'no' vote on Harvey aid, to lead congressional recovery task force

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, makes his opening statement during a House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment joint hearing on the role of the Interior Department in the Deepwater Horizon disaster on Capitol Hill in Washington Tuesday, July 20, 2010. The hearing examines the Interior Department's actions before and since the Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) less Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, makes his opening statement during a House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment joint hearing on the role of the Interior ... more Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, STF Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, STF Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Barton, a 'no' vote on Harvey aid, to lead congressional recovery task force 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, one of four Texas Republicans who voted against at $15 billion relief package for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, will lead a congressional task force to help coordinate recovery efforts.

Despite his opposition to the bill, which was tied to an increase in the government debt limit, Barton said he wants to help. "Texans will not leave one another behind," he said in a statement Friday.

Barton, who has served in Congress since 1985, is generally considered the "dean" of the Texas congressional delegation.

He will team up with Laredo Democrat Henry Cuellar in a bipartisan effort to coordinate Congress's response to the storm that devastated Houston and the Gulf Coast.

Besides Barton, the four Texas no votes on the aid package came from Jeb Hensarling of Dallas, Sam Johnson of Plano and Mac Thornberry of Amarillo.

"I am not against voting for relief programs to help hurricane victims," Barton said in a statement last week. "But I am against raising the public debt ceiling without a plan to reduce deficits in the short term, and eliminate them in the long term."

The House passed the measure by a vote of 360-90.

The new task force is expected to cut through bureaucratic red tape and rules that could hamper recovery efforts. Its members also will serve as liaisons between federal government agencies and Texas officials. The group also will work on recommendations for future relief efforts and disaster planning.

Said Cuellar: "Texans are determined to emerge from Hurricane Harvey stronger than ever."