Maine Democratic Congressman Jared Golden is under fire for helping Republican leadership pass a key procedural vote.

Golden voted for the measure because it included his bill to shield Maine lobstermen from federal environmental regulations protecting whales.

However, the bill also included a resolution condemning socialism, which House Democrats largely oppose due to language touting the SAVE America Act.

Golden does not support the SAVE Act, but said his bill supporting lobstermen was his top priority.

Democratic leadership says they were blindsided by Golden’s unannounced defection and are considering disciplinary action against him.

Golden’s vote along with one other centrist Democrat helped Republicans advance a series of GOP messaging bills heading into the midterm elections