On the Nathan Deal beat: Kind words from Newt Gingrich, but dropped from the millionaires club

For three days this week, U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal was the target of growing Republican recrimination over his departure from Congress.

Those who feared the loss of his vote could doom the fight against the Democratic health care initiative had already awarded him a Twitter hashtag: #blamedeal.

So it’s only fair that the north Georgia congressman enjoy a few plaudits for his decision to extend his stay in Washington for another three weeks, until March 31. The following quotes are from a news release issued this morning by Newt Gingrich:

“The stakes are enormous right now in Washington,” Gingrich said. “Nathan is a pro and knows that with the health bill vote looming, it is more important for the people of Georgia for him to be in the United States Capitol than on the campaign trail. Future generations of Georgians and Americans will thank him for that.”

And this:

“A true leader is someone who puts their country before their political future,” Gingrich said. “Congressman Deal is smart enough to know his vote to save one-sixth of the American economy is more important than getting on the campaign trail a few weeks early.”

But here’s a question: What if Democrats delay a U.S. House vote on health care until, say, April 5?

Also on the Deal beat, Roll Call this morning reports that Deal has amended his financial disclosure form, “dropping his minimum net worth by more than $500,000 and knocking Deal out of the millionaire’s club in the House.” A few paragraphs:

In his amended form, Deal appears to have changed the description and valuation of the Gainesville property where his family salvage business is located. On his original disclosure form filed last May, Deal listed Gainesville Salvage & Disposal twice, once as a family business worth $1 million to $5 million generating $50,000 to $100,000 worth of dividend income, and once as a property with the same value generating $15,000 to $50,000 worth of rental income.

The amended form retains the description and valuation of the family business, but replaces the rental description with an address — 1600 Athens Highway — and a property value of $250,000 to $500,000. A towing company operates out of this address, and it appears that Deal’s family has rented a portion of its property to this company.

Deal has acknowledged that the House ethics committee and the Office of Congressional Ethics are investigating whether the Congressman used his position to oppose an overhaul of the state’s system for inspecting salvaged vehicles. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Deal’s family business earned $1.5 million from 2004 to 2008 under the current inspection program.

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