Republican opponents of U.S. Rep. Brian Baird are criticizing the congressman over his recent vote against a spending bill that included $1.3 million for flood control projects in the Chehalis River Basin.

Baird, a Vancouver Democrat, said Thursday that he voted against the bill on principle, after lawmakers were given only 19 hours to read the 400-page document. The measure passed by a large margin.

Baird has sponsored a petition with U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., that would force Congress to consider a bill proposing 72-hour waiting period before voting on legislation.

This week, two Republican challengers to Baird’s 2010 congressional bid called the move a “cynical, political ploy,” a gimmick aimed at creating the image of bipartisanship. David Castillo, the former Centralia resident running against Baird, called the effort “laughable on its face.”

Castillo said the issue is an opportunity to grandstand and distance himself from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He said if Baird were genuine, he would have voted against industry bailouts, and a sweeping climate change bill passed earlier this year.

“His hypocrisy is amazing. … The bill that is of critical importance is used in what amounts to a cynical political ploy,” Castillo said.

Washougal City Councilman Jon Russell, the only other candidate registered in the race thus far, also was critical of Baird.

“Brian Baird did not hesitate to vote for the Cap and Trade Bill without a 72-hour waiting period,” Russell said. “All of a sudden he has found religion on a 72-hour wait rule and he used his newfound faith to work against his own constituents in Lewis County.”

In an e-mailed statement, Russell called the move a political stunt.

Baird’s ’no’ vote came on House Resolution 3183, which included $34 billion in spending. It cleared the House by a large margin and awaits Senate approval. The bill includes federal allocations for two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in the Chehalis River Basin. The money in the bill is split between the Twin Cities Project, which calls for 11 miles of levees in and around Centralia and Chehalis, and the general investigation into basinwide flood control and ecosystem restoration.

The money was originally requested by Baird and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.

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Baird again draws attention to problem of quick votes in Congress  (Oct. 2)