Republicans tout funding from COVID relief bill they unanimously opposed
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Rep. Madison Cawthorne. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A number of Republican lawmakers are celebrating and promoting provisions of President Biden's American Rescue Plan in their home constituencies, despite unanimously voting against the sweeping COVID rescue bill, AP writes.
Why it matters: Polling suggests the $1.9 trillion plan, the defining legislative victory of Biden's presidency thus far, is widely popular among the American public. Democrats have said they'll make their Republican colleagues' votes a sticking point during the 2022 midterm elections.
Driving the news: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) issued a news release saying she was proud to bring "federal funding to the district and back into the pockets of taxpayers," citing the $3.7 million from the law that went to community health centers in her district.
- She added that the grants were a part of the bill that she supported, despite her vote, and that she wanted to help small businesses secure the funds “regardless of any particular vote."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), backed by GOP leaders to replace Rep. Liz Cheney as conference chair — are among at least eight Republicans encouraging constituents to apply for the plan's Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
- "She did not claim to support the bill in the tweet, and her constituents deserve to know about federal programs they can apply for regardless of how she votes," Stefanik's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told AP.
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) said he was "proud" to see taxpayer money return to his district, referencing the millions in health care grants the relief bill sent to local communities.
Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) promoted the more than $41 million going to 12 health care centers in his district, without mentioning the plan, saying: “I am glad that this funding has been secured.”
