Democrats are defending special interest provisions packed inside the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 spending package, arguing criticism of the legislation from Republicans is just "Misinformation and partisan spin."
Republicans on the House Budget Committee, who all voted against the package Monday, argued the bill is nothing more than "Special interest pork and other liberal goodies."
Despite its $1.9 trillion price tag, Republicans say only 8% goes toward coronavirus-related spending, while billions are tacked on to help Democratic-allied activist groups, unions, and bailouts to state and local governments that imposed shutdowns on their communities and made irresponsible budgetary decisions related to pensions.
Democrats brushed off Republicans' effort to highlight items in the bill that they say are not related to relief, claiming the spending package's purpose is to give a boost to the economy, and Republicans only want to stop people from receiving help during the pandemic.
Republicans point to $135 million directed toward the National Endowment for the Arts, $86 billion dollars in union pension bailouts, over $100 million for a Silicon Valley transit expansion project, and $1.5 million for the Seaway International Bridge, an expanse intended to connect New York to Canada.
"Republicans have publicly complained about their inability to mount public opposition to the bipartisan American Rescue Plan's push to crush the COVID-19 virus. Turning to vaccine skeptics is a reckless Republican effort to put partisanship over American health, safety, & jobs," she said in a statement on Monday.
Other Democrats say the provisions Republicans are concerned about are likely to benefit the economy anyway.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/democrats-defend-pork-coronavirus-spending-bill
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