Hensarling not calling for Paulson resignation

WASHINGTON – Republican Study Committee chair Jeb Hensarling isn’t yet ready to sign on to U.S. Rep. John Shadegg’s call for Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to resign his cabinet seat.

“I’m not ready to hop on that bandwagon,” Hensarling said as he was walking back into the Cannon House Office Building after voting no on the $700 billion bailout package.

But Hensarling, a third term congressman from Stephenville, was critical of Paulson.

“Inaction is not an option. But the Paulson plan should have never been the only option on the table,” he said. “I think the way it was handled spooked markets – there’s a lot of psychology involved here.”

Just hours before Congress voted on the bailout package today, Shadegg (R-Phoenix) called for Paulsen’s resignation. A spokesperson for Shadegg’s office did not say how many members had joined Shadegg’s call.

Hensarling and other members of the Republican Study Committee, including Shadegg, are set to appear at a 4:15 press conference in the House Radio-TV Gallery.