Think Progress
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Stimulating Hypocrisy: 111 Lawmakers Block Recovery While Taking Credit For Its Success
House Of Representatives
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) Said Stimulus Funds Would Create “Much Needed Jobs.” Minority Leader Boehner: “The stated intent of the so-called stimulus package was to create jobs, and certainly a $57 million slush-fund studying projects did nothing to achieve that goal. With Ohio’s unemployment rate the highest it’s been in 25 years, I’m pleased that federal officials stepped in to order Ohio to use all of its construction dollars for shovel-ready projects that will create much-needed jobs.” [Boehner Statement, 6/15/09]
-Congressman Boehner Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Boehner Regularly Blasts The Stimulus And Instructed His Caucus To Oppose It. [Huffington Post, 1/27/09]
Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) Held A Job Fair Where Nearly Half The 30 Organizations Received Stimulus Funds; Cantor Also Supported Using Stimulus Funds To Build A Washington To Richmond Rail. Washington Post: “For months, Democrats have dubbed U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia a hypocrite for strongly opposing the federal stimulus package only to promote aspects of it later. Here’s the latest example: Nearly half of the 30 organizations participating in a job fair Cantor is holding Monday in Culpeper were recipients of the stimulus…In the summer, Cantor came under fire after he talked about his support of using stimulus money to build a rail project from Washington to Richmond.” [Washington Post Virginia Blog, 11/18/09]
- Congressman Eric Cantor Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) Issued Pres Releases Bragging About Bringing Stimulus Jobs To His District. On July 28th, Kingston’s press office fired off two releases bragging about a $106,901 grant for the Alma Police Department and a $138,286 grant for the Jesup Police Department in Georgia. These grants, distributed by the Department of Justice for the “hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight Internet crimes against children,” were fully-funded by President Obama’s Recovery Act.
[Think Progress, 8/4/09]
- Congressman Kingston Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) Claimed Credit For Stimulus Grants In His District.According to the Ventura County Star, “another $8 million in federal money could be flowing into Ventura County through the new federal stimulus package and a separate spending bill that cleared the House this week. Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, announced Thursday that Thousand Oaks will get $182,881 in community development block grants through the stimulus package and that Camarillo will receive $96,075.” [Ventura County Star, 2/27/09]
- Congressman Gallegly Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) Claimed Credit For Highway Stimulus Funds He Voted Against. The Iowa blog Bleeding Heartland reported: “King’s office issued an upbeat statement about $570,000 included in the economic stimulus bill that will go toward widening U.S. Highway 20 in a rural area of northwest Iowa. Of course, the statement did not mention that King voted against the stimulus. Nor did the brief news item in the Sioux City Journal.” [Bleeding Heartland, 3/14/09]
- Congressman King Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) Working To ‘Channel’ Recovery Act Funds To New Orleans.Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) is now working to bring Recovery Act money into his district. Last week, the Times-Picayune reported that Cao has been meeting with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to apply to “use stimulus money for additional streetcar expansions and road repairs.” Cao boasted that he is now working to “channel” the money that he opposed to his district. [Think Progress,8/3/09]
- Congressman Cao Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Cao Initially Indicated That He Would Vote For the Stimulus, Before Succumbing To GOP Arm-Twisting. [Think Progress,8/3/09]
Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) Quietly Asked For Stimulus Funds For Her Constituents.According to the Wall Street Journal, while Schmidt called for “recalling” the stimulus, she was quietly sending letters to the federal government asking “for consideration of [stimulus] funding requests from local organizations training workers for energy-efficiency projects.” [WSJ, 2/16/10]
- Congresswoman Schmidt Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) Said Stimulus Money Is Needed ‘Desperately.’ThinkProgress reported: “Wolf (R-VA) is now criticizing Gov. Tim Kaine (D) for being ’slow’ to spend the stimulus money allocated for Virginia — even though if Wolf and his Republican colleagues would have had their way, there would be no extra money for the state at all. ‘We could use that money desperately,’ Wolf told reporters. ‘We’re in a critical situation.’” [TP, 10/6/09]
- Congressman Wolf Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK) Requested Army Secretary Use $8.4m in Stimulus Funds for Projects in Oklahoma. Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK) — who called the stimulus a “Big Brother spending program” — asked Army Secretary Pete Geren to use $8.4 million in stimulus money for repairs to buildings at two Oklahoma National Guard sites. [Think Progress, 8/27/09]
-Congressman Fallin Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) Praised $127.5 million in Stimulus Funds to Sacramento As a Solution To “Energy, Environmental and National Security Issues.”[Sacramento Bee, 11/28/09]
-Dan Lungren Claimed That The Stimulus Package “Didn’t Work” and Called It A “Terribly Tragedy”. [DCCC Release, 12/2/09]
-Lungren Appeared At Stimulus-Funding Project Groundbreaking Ceremony, Saying “if there’s one thing we agree on with this spending package, it is for simple infrastructure.” [DCCC, 12/2/09]
-Congressman Lungren Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) Hands Out Giant Stimulus Check In Georgia. Gingrey appeared in the city of Cedartown, Georgia, to present a giant check of $625,000 in stimulus funds to the city commission to help fund the the city’s Streetscape project, which will install new sidewalks and infrastructure. [Think Progress, 10/13/09]
-Congressman Gingrey Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) Says He Will Advocate For Benefits Of Recovery Package Despite Opposition. During a segment with KUSA-TV, Rep. Coffman said: “I see myself in two roles as a congressman. I think the first role as a policymaker in Washington and the second as an advocate for people inside this district and there are elements we’ll probably be discussing – the mortgage proposal – there are probably elements that I disagree with that but if there’s somebody in my district eligible for that, I’ll fight to make sure they get them.” Coffman goes on to say, “I certainly supported infrastructure spending because it creates direct jobs in the private sector, clearly I support tax relief…it still puts money into the economy.” [KUSA-TV, 2/22/09]
-Congressman Coffman Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Coffman Attacked The Recovery Package, Stating: “I Think It’s Going To Have The Reverse Effect That It’s Intended To Have.” [CBS4, 2/2/09]
Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) Acknowledged Recovery Package Will Deliver Good News For District. The Boston Globe reported: “Reichert acknowledges that the stimulus bill will deliver tangible good news to his constituents… ‘I feel a responsibility at this point to make this still work.’” [Boston Globe, 2/24/09]
-Congressman Reichert Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Reichert Attacked The Recovery Package, Declaring
It To Be Spending That “Won’t Create Jobs.” [McClatchy, 2/13/09]
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) Praised Stimulus Funding For Local Courthouse.According to a document published by ABC News, McCarthy praised $31 million in stimulus funds for a Bakersfield courthouse. [McCarthy Press Release, 3/31/09; accessed by ABC News]
-Congressman McCarthy Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Wrote Letters In Support For Stimulus Money. Blue Ridge Business Journal reported: “NTELOS Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: NTLS), a leading provider of wireless and wireline communications services (branded as NTELOS) in Virginia and West Virginia, is pleased to announce that it will be able to accept a $16 million federal broadband stimulus award.” The article noted that NTELOS won the award because Goodlatte endorsed the project and wrote letters of support. [BRBJ,2/15/10]
-Congressman Goodlatte Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Bill Young (R-FL) Encourages Constituents To ‘Take Advantage’ Of Stimulus Money He Tried To Kill. ThinkProgress reported that Young “now lists various links on his website to help his constituents ‘take advantage of the federal stimulus money.’” [TP, 8/27/09]
-Congressman Young Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) Signed A Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For Illinois Community Colleges. According to a release from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, every member of the Illinois congressional delegation signed a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn to provide “Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.” [ICCSN, 4/14/09]
-Congressman Kirk Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) Signed A Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For Illinois Community Colleges. According to a release from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, every member of the Illinois congressional delegation signed a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn to provide “Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.” [ICCSN, 4/14/09]
-Congressman Manzullo Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) Requested $95 Million In Stimulus Money. The Salt Lake Tribune reported: “All four of Utah’s Republicans in Congress voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year, and all of them then used congressional stationary in an attempt to nab stimulus cash for the state. [...] Sen. Orrin Hatch and Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz sent the Interior Department a letter on behalf of the Provo River Water Users Association seeking $95 million in funds, while Matheson pushed for money for national parks in Utah.” [SLT, 10/4/09]
-Congressman Chaffetz Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) Requested $95 Million In Stimulus Money. The Salt Lake Tribune reported: “All four of Utah’s Republicans in Congress voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year, and all of them then used congressional stationary in an attempt to nab stimulus cash for the state. [...] Sen. Orrin Hatch and Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz sent the Interior Department a letter on behalf of the Provo River Water Users Association seeking $95 million in funds, while Matheson pushed for money for national parks in Utah.” [SLT, 10/4/09]
-Congressman Bishop Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) Signed A Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For Illinois Community Colleges. According to a release from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, every member of the Illinois congressional delegation signed a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn to provide “Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.” [ICCSN, 4/14/09]
-Congressman Roskam Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) Took Credit For Police Officer Hiring Funded By The Stimulus. According to a Scalise press release, the congressman took credit for JAG grants to cities in Southeast Louisiana, like Gretna. In the Scalise release, he claimed he was “fighting” for those funds. But according to a press release from the city of Gretna, the same funds Scalise touted were funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. [Scalise press release, 7/28/09; Gretna press release, accessed 2/15/10]
-Congressman Roskam Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Tim Johnson (R-IL) Signed A Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For Illinois Community Colleges. According to a release from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, every member of the Illinois congressional delegation signed a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn to provide “Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.” [ICCSN, 4/14/09]
-Congressman Johnson Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) Signed A Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For Illinois Community Colleges. According to a release from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, every member of the Illinois congressional delegation signed a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn to provide “Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.” [ICCSN, 4/14/09]
-Congressman Schock Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) Signed A Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For Illinois Community Colleges. According to a release from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, every member of the Illinois congressional delegation signed a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn to provide “Recovery Act (ARRA) funding to expand the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.” [ICCSN, 4/14/09]
-Congressman Shimkus Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK) Said He Would Get His “Fair Share” Of Recovery Package Money. According to the Edmond Sun, Rep. Lucas said, “I will work with you as I worked with your member of Congress (Mary Fallin) and your U.S. senators that we will get our fair share.” He added, “We all need to work very aggressively to make sure that every community that qualifies should be a recipient of whatever we can find in that bill” [Edmond Sun, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Lucas Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Lucas Attacked The Recovery Package, Stating, “The Federal Government Does “Not Create Wealth.” [Enid News And Eagle,1/28/09]
Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) Claimed Credit For Over $5 Million In Stimulus Funds He Voted Against. ThinkProgress reported that Castle sent at least two press releases claiming credit for stimulus funds. [TP, 1/7/10]
-Congressman Castle Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA. According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Poe Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA. According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Paul Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA. According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Neugebauer Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Marchant Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Johnson Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC) Lobbied For Tens Of Millions In South Carolina Stimulus Funds. According to the Georgetown Times, a business coalition called the North Eastern Strategic Alliance worked closely with Brown to secure millions in stimulus funds for the I-73 corridor highway in South Carolina. The Times also reported: “McGill noted that about a thousand to 1,200 people showed up at an appreciation dinner for U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-Hanahan, last week. They did that, McGill said, because ‘The man’s delivered for us. Our Congressional delegation has delivered.’ He credited Brown, Reps. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt, and Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint for working hard for South Carolina interests. ‘You’re talking about a one-two punch,’ McGill said. ‘Those fellows know how to deliver.’” [Georgetown Times, 5/31/09]
-Congressman Brown Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Sam Hall (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA. According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Hall Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Sessions Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congresswoman Granger Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Barton Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Burgess Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. John Carter (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Carter Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Conaway Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Culberson Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Gohmert Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Thornberry Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) Signed Letter Requesting Stimulus Funds For NASA.According to the Houston Chronicle, the letter stated that stimulus funds for NASA would “secure good jobs and stabilize our economy.” [TP, 10/6/09]
-Congressman Smith Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) Wrote A Letter Stating ‘We Know’ A Stimulus Grant Would ‘Provide Jobs And Investment.’ According to a Washington Times FOIA request, Wilson “elbowed his way into the rush for federal stimulus cash in a letter he sent to Mr. Vilsack on behalf of a foundation seeking funding. ‘We know their endeavor will provide jobs and investment in one of the poorer sections of the Congressional District,’ he wrote to Mr. Vilsack in the Aug. 26, 2009, letter.” [Washington Times,2/9/10]
-Rep. Wilson Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH) Requested Stimulus Money To Support Jobs In His District.The Washington Times reported: “Tiberi, Ohio Republican, in October called the final Democratic stimulus bill ‘loaded with [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi’s grab bag of big spending wishes” and that it “saddles future generations with mountains of debt.’ He struck a different tone in a letter to Mr. Vilsack. ‘While this project is intended to expand rural broadband in Alaska, I understand that the project could support businesses and jobs in communities across the country,’ Mr. Tiberi wrote, citing one such company in his district. A spokeswoman for Mr. Tiberi said he is just fighting for jobs in his district.” [Washington Times, 2/9/10]
-Rep. Tiberi Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) ‘Applauded’ Stimulus Money For Public Utilities. The Daily Herald reported: “Biggert, a Hinsdale Republican, voted against President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan, but is applauding spending $10.9 million of it in Naperville to upgrade the city’s public utility. Biggert, however, has not changed her mind on stimulus spending, said spokesman Zachary Cikanek. She just likes the project being funded, he said.” [Daily Herald, 10/28/09]
-Rep. Biggert Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY) Pledged To ‘Fight’ For Stimulus Money He Voted Against.The Democrat and Chronicle reported: “Rep. Chris Lee was opposed to a $787 billion stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday but said he would now fight for funds included in the bill for his district [...] ‘Now that the bill is passed, I obviously want to ensure I do fight for projects in western New York,’ Lee said.” [Democrat and Chronicle, 2/18/09]
-Rep. Lee Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) Promised To Help Make Stimulus He Tried To Kill ‘Work.’ According to KULR in Montana, Rehberg pledged to help bring stimulus funds to his state, telling reporters, “I’ll do anything I can to make this work. At the same time we have to be realistic.” [KULR, 2/17/09]
-Rep. Rehberg Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Shelly Capito Moore (R-WV) Lauded $1.5 million In Stimulus Funds She Voted Against. Talking Points Memo reported: “There are copious other examples from Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) lauding $1.5 million in neighborhood funds to Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) boasting on Twitter of the “very generous” stimulus incentive for first-time homebuyers.” [TPM, 2/10/09]
-Rep. Moore Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) Praised Stimulus Funding For An Energy Labratory.According to the Associated Press, Wamp praised $71.2 million in economic stimulus funds for the Oak Ridge Lab in Tennessee. Wamp noted the funds would add “about 170 construction jobs.” [AP, 3/24/09]
-Rep. Moore Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) Signed A Letter Hailing Stimulus Funds As An ‘Important First Steps For Individuals And Their Families.’ The letter, signed by other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, was sent to the Director of Recovery Auto Workers and Communities. [Letter from Michigan Delegation to Ed Montgomery,5/6/09]
-Rep. Upton Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI) Signed A Letter Hailing Stimulus Funds As An ‘Important First Steps For Individuals And Their Families.’ The letter, signed by other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, was sent to the Director of Recovery Auto Workers and Communities. [Letter from Michigan Delegation to Ed Montgomery,5/6/09]
-Rep. Ehlers Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) Signed A Letter Hailing Stimulus Funds As An ‘Important First Steps For Individuals And Their Families.’ The letter, signed by other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, was sent to the Director of Recovery Auto Workers and Communities. [Letter from Michigan Delegation to Ed Montgomery,5/6/09]
-Rep. Camp Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Thad McCotter (R-MI) Signed A Letter Hailing Stimulus Funds As An ‘Important First Steps For Individuals And Their Families.’ The letter, signed by other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, was sent to the Director of Recovery Auto Workers and Communities. [Letter from Michigan Delegation to Ed Montgomery, 5/6/09]
-Rep. McCotter Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) Signed A Letter Hailing Stimulus Funds As An ‘Important First Steps For Individuals And Their Families.’ The letter, signed by other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, was sent to the Director of Recovery Auto Workers and Communities. [Letter from Michigan Delegation to Ed Montgomery,5/6/09]
-Rep. Miller Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) Signed A Letter Hailing Stimulus Funds As An ‘Important First Steps For Individuals And Their Families.’ The letter, signed by other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, was sent to the Director of Recovery Auto Workers and Communities. [Letter from Michigan Delegation to Ed Montgomery,5/6/09]
-Rep. Rogers Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) Attacked The Administration For Allegedly Not Giving Enough Stimulus Money To His District. According to a press release from Whitfield’s office, Whitfield “sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, questioning whether money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act intended to help create jobs and stimulate economies in areas hard hit by the economic recession have been appropriately distributed to places, such as Kentucky.” [Whitfield Press Office,7/6/09]
-Rep. Whitfield Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote#46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) Bashes The Stimulus As A Failure While Taking Credit For Its Success. Congressman Shuster has been quietly claiming credit for its benefits in his district, as well as advocating for an expanded role for Recovery Act money in his community:
-On November 20, Shuster attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a sewage treatment plant for the Blairsville Municipal Authority. Republican State Senator Don White noted that the project was only possible because of the stimulus, which allowed the state Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to provide a $10.4 million grant and a $3 million low interest loan for construction. [Blairsville Dispatch, 11/25/09]
-On November 4, Shuster asked Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) to use some of the state’s stimulus money to reopen the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children. Shuster noted that using the Recovery Act money for the school would save 134 full-time jobs. [Waynesboro Herald-Mail, 11/4/09]
-Congressman Shuster said the Recovery Act is doing “nothing to encourage growth.” [Shuster press release, 9/4/09]
Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) Vowed To Direct Recovery Package Money To His District. According to the Mail Tribune, Rep. Walden said, “I figure my job is to try and do whatever I can to clear the hurdles and get the projects going and the people back to work using these funds. They are going to spent somewhere.” He added, “I hope they are spent mostly in this region. The part that is encouraging is the speed in which the agencies appear to want to move forward with projects.” [Mail Tribune,2/19/09]
-Congressman Walden Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
-Congressman Walden Attacked Stimulus, Stating: "If this is truly supposed to be a stimulus that produces jobs, this bill fails on that account. There are much better ways to produce jobs and keep jobs than to send money they way there are spending money.” [The Oregonian,2/13/09]
Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL) Asked For $15 Million In Stimulus Money. According to the Wall Street Journal, Bonner “wrote to then-Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell asking for $15 million [in stimulus funds] for cogongrass eradication and control programs in the state. The state ended up getting a $6.3 million grant.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Congressman Bonner Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) Asked For $15 Million In Stimulus Money. According to the Wall Street Journal, Bonner "wrote to then-Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell asking for $15 million [in stimulus funds] for cogongrass eradication and control programs in the state. The state ended up getting a $6.3 million grant.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Congressman Griffith Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) Asked For $15 Million In Stimulus Money. According to the Wall Street Journal, Bachus "wrote to then-Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell asking for $15 million [in stimulus funds] for cogongrass eradication and control programs in the state. The state ended up getting a $6.3 million grant.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Congressman Bachus Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA) Demanded That The Obama Admin Shift Stimulus Money Back To PA Universities. The Post-Gazette reported that fourteen members of Congress, including Patts, urged the Obama administration to use education stimulus dollars for four Pennsylvania state-related universities. [Post-Gazette, 7/10/09]
-Congressman Platts Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) Demanded That The Obama Admin Shift Stimulus Money Back To PA Universities. The Post-Gazette reported that fourteen members of Congress, including Murphy, urged the Obama administration to use education stimulus dollars for four Pennsylvania state-related universities. [Post-Gazette,7/10/09]
-Congressman Murphy Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) Demanded That The Obama Admin Shift Stimulus Money Back To PA Universities. The Post-Gazette reported that fourteen members of Congress, including Gerlach, urged the Obama administration to use education stimulus dollars for four Pennsylvania state-related universities. [Post-Gazette,7/10/09]
-Congressman Gerlach Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) Demanded That The Obama Admin Shift Stimulus Money Back To PA Universities. The Post-Gazette reported that fourteen members of Congress, including Dent, urged the Obama administration to use education stimulus dollars for four Pennsylvania state-related universities. [Post-Gazette, 7/10/09]
-Congressman Dent Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) Asked For $15 Million In Stimulus Money. According to the Wall Street Journal, Rogers "wrote to then-Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell asking for $15 million [in stimulus funds] for cogongrass eradication and control programs in the state. The state ended up getting a $6.3 million grant.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Congressman Rogers Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70)
Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) Hoped “Massive Spending” Would Benefit Constituents. The Daily Collegian reported, “Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, who represents the 5th District at a national level, said he hoped the residents within the county would benefit from the plan's massive spending and tax cuts.” In opposing the stimulus, Thompson cited “reckless spending and insufficient tax cuts.” [The Daily Collegian, 2/19/09]
-Congressman Thompson Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Thompson Criticized The Recovery Package, Stating: “How Does Borrowing From Foreign Countries Actually Benefit Us?” [The Daily Collegian, 2/2/09]
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) Asked For Stimulus Funds For 1,000 Jobs In His District.The Wall Street Journal reported “Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who called the stimulus a ‘wasteful spending spree’ that ‘misses the mark on all counts,’ wrote to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis in October in support of a grant application from a group in his district which, he said, ‘intends to place 1,000 workers in green jobs.’” [WSJ,2/16/10]
- Congressman Ryan Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]>
Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) Quietly Asked For Stimulus Funds For Her Constituents.According to the Wall Street Journal, Myrick quietly sent letters to the federal government asking “for consideration of [stimulus] funding requests from local organizations training workers for energy-efficiency projects.” [WSJ, 2/16/10]
- Congresswoman Myrick Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ) Proclaimed That A Recovery Package Funded Program Was A “Classic Example Of A Shovel-Ready Project.” According to ABC News, “In New Jersey, Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J., toured a Army Corps of Engineers construction site that will likely get stimulus dollars. ‘This is a classic example of a ‘shovel-ready’ project,’ Lance said. As the liberal website BlueJersey notes, Lance had penned an op-ed against the bill, writing ‘Only a fraction of the dollars are targeted toward ’shovel ready’ projects that will keep and create immediate jobs.’” [ABC News,2/19/09]
-Congressman Lance Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Lance Penned An Op-Ed Writing “Only A Fraction Of The Dollars Are Targeted Toward ‘Shovel Ready’ Projects That Will Keep and Create Immediate Jobs.” [Cranford Chronicle, 2/12/09]
Congressman John Mica (R-FL) ‘Gushed’ About Funds Secured In Recovery Package. According to McClatchy Newspapers, “Rep. John Mica was gushing after the House of Representatives voted Friday to pass the big stimulus plan. ‘I applaud President Obama’s recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America’s future,’ the Florida Republican beamed in a press release.” Additionally, according to the Politico, Congressman Diaz-Balart was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09; McClatchy, 2/13/09]
-Congressman Mica Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Congressman Don Young (R-AK) Claimed “Victory” For Funds Secured In Recovery Package. According to McClatchy Newspapers, “Young boasted that he ‘won a victory for the Alaska Native contracting program and other Alaska small business owners last night in H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.’” [McClatchy, 2/13/09]
-Congressman Young Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Young Was Reportedly “Gnashing His Teeth After The Stimulus Bill Passed,” Remarking, “I Think It’s An Unfortunate Day For America.” [Anchorage Daily News, 2/13/09]
Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) Hailed Education Benefits Of Recovery Package As “What The Economy Needs.” According to KTVO-TV, “Luetkemeyer said the project is considered ‘shovel ready’ and that’s what the economy needs. President Darrell Krueger and Luetkemeyer discussed the educational benefits of the economic recovery package.” [KTVO-TV, 2/17/09]
-Congressman Luetkemeyer Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) Took Credit For Recovery-Funded Highway Project. On his congressional website, McCaul features a story from earlier this month about a largely stimulus-funded project to expand Highway 36 in Texas. In the story, he is thanked for “taking this project to the next phase of reality.” Noting its importance, McCaul says the highway expansion will “cut down on fatal crashes andensure commerce can continue to move efficiently through Austin County and the rest of this important region.”
-Congressman McCaul Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman McCaul Brags About His Opposition To The “Pork-Filled” Stimulus.
Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) Requested $3 Billion In Stimulus Funds. Politico reports that Olson, “whose district includes the Johnson Space Center, circulated a letter in October requesting that $3 billion in stimulus funds be redirected to NASA.
Olson said he was just helping the president choose the “right priorities” — which just so happen to be centered in his congressional district. [Politico, 1/28/10]
-Congressman Olson Criticized Stimulus As “Wasting” Money: “The Fact Of The Matter Is The President Has That Money, And He’s Been Wasting It.” [Politico, 1/28/10]
Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) Announced He Would Claim “As Much [Recovery Package] Money As We Can.” According to The Press Enterprise, Rep. Calvert said, “All of us in the Inland Empire will do what we can to direct as much money as we can.” [The Press Enterprise, 2/13/09]
-Congressman Calvert Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Calvert Complained That The Recovery Package Forces The Middle Class “Onto A Troubling King Of Public Dependency.” [Inland News Today, 2/20/09]
Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) Praised “Generous” Recovery Package Benefits. According to the Hill Blog, Rep. Hoekstra communicated through Twitter: “If you know of someone thinking of buying first home, now may be the time.Stimulus incentive is very generous!Up to 8k!Check it out.” [The Hill’s Brief Room, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Hoekstra Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Hoekstra Attacked The Recovery Package As A “Spending Spree.” [Grand Haven Tribune, 2/14/09]
Congressman Adam Putnam (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package Funds. According to the Politico, Congressman Putnam was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Putnam Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Putnam Penned An Op-Ed Attacking The Recovery Package As Spending Taxpayer Money “With Reckless Abandon.” [St. Petersburg Times, 2/11/09]
Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package Funds. According to the Politico, Congressman Stearns was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Stearns Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Stearns Condemned The Recovery Package As An “Unprecedented Big-Government Grab For Citizen Reliance On The Federal Government.” [New York Times, 2/16/09]
Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package Funds. According to the Politico, Congressman Posey was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Posey Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Posey Criticized The Recovery Package As “Very Little To Really Stimulate Activity And Just A Lot Of Money Thrown Around.” [Fox 35,2/14/09]
Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package Funds. According to the Politico, Congresswoman Brown-Waite was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congresswoman Brown-Waite Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congresswoman Brown-Waite Released A Statement Deriding The Bill As A “Pork-Ridden Bailout That Produces Few Jobs” And Compared It To A “Deal With The Devil.” [St. Petersburg Times, 1/29/09]
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package Funds. According to the Politico, Congressman Diaz-Balart was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Diaz-Balart Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Diaz-Balart Voiced His Opposition To The Recovery Package, Stating, “We’re Going To Be Embarrassed, It’s Not Going To Help The Economy.” [KIMO-ABC, 2/16/09]
Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package. According to the Politico, Congressman Rooney was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Rooney Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Rooney Decried The Recovery Package Because He Said It “Levees Our Economic Future On The Backs Of Our Children While Spending Billions On Projects That Will Do Little To Stimulate The Economy.” [Herald Tribune, 2/13/09]
Rep. John Linder (R-GA) Slammed The Stimulus As A Failure While Requesting Stimulus Money. The Washington Times reported: “Rep. John Linder, Georgia Republican, posted a blog item on his Web site on Oct. 21, stating that recent unemployment figures ‘only reinforce the fact that the $787 billion ’stimulus’ signed into law eight months ago has done nothing for job growth in this country.’ Two weeks earlier, Mr. Linder had sent a letter to Mr. Vilsack backing an application for stimulus money by the Elauwit Community Foundation, records show.” [Washington Times,2/9/10]
-Rep. Linder Decried The Recovery Package Because He Said It “Levees Our Economic Future On The Backs Of Our Children While Spending Billions On Projects That Will Do Little To Stimulate The Economy.” [Herald Tribune,2/13/09]
Congressman Geoff Davis (R-KY) Took Credit For Over $1 Million In Recovery Funds For His District. On December 16th, Congressman Geoff Davis sent out a press release hailing $1,044,140 in stimulus money Carroll County school system, while crediting himself for securing the money. “I am pleased that our office was able to assist them in obtaining these funds,” noted Davis in the release. [Davis press release,12/16/09]
-Congressman Davis Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-On the same day as he took credit for the recovery funds, Congressman Davis blasted a separate release claiming that the stimulus had “failed.” [Davis press release, 12/16/09]
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Recovery Package. According to the Politico, Congressman Diaz-Balart was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Diaz-Balart Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Diaz-Balart Criticized The Recovery Package, Stating, “This Opportunity Lost Is More Than Sad, Because The American People Believed That This Was Sacrifice For Modernization, For Higher Productivity, For Creation Of Jobs, And That Is Not What It Is.” [Voice Of America, 2/13/09]
Rep. Robert Anderholt (R-AL) Requested Stimulus Money Days After Slamming It As A Failure. The Washington Times reported: “Aderholt, Alabama Republican, also voted against and criticized the stimulus. ‘Rather than create jobs or stimulate the economy, this massive spending bill was a laundry list of programs that focused on states with big-city urban communities,’ he wrote in the Oct. 4 edition of the Daily Mountain Eagle newspaper. Three days later, Mr. Aderholt sent a letter to Mr. Vilsack on behalf of a foundation seeking stimulus money to expand broadband services in his district.” [Washington Times, 2/9/10]
-Rep. Anderholt Decried The Recovery Package Because He Said It “Levees Our Economic Future On The Backs Of Our Children While Spending Billions On Projects That Will Do Little To Stimulate The Economy.” [Herald Tribune, 2/13/09]
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) Signed Letter Asking Federal Government Asking For Waiver To Access Stimulus Funds. According to the Politico, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen was among the “nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no’s,” who, “joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.” [The Politico, 2/18/09]
-Congressman Ros-Lehtinen Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
-Congressman Ros-Lehtinen Criticized The Recovery Package, Stating “This Bill Doesn’t Get Us The Economic Security Where We Want Our Folks To Be.” [PBS, 1/27/09]
Senate
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) Bragged About Job Creation, Environmental Clean Up Benefits Of Recovery Package. According to KIDK News, Senator Crapo gushed: “Approximately $400 million plus, maybe as much as $465 million will come to INL right here in Idaho for hundreds of new jobs and a significantly expedited clean up activity.” [KIDK News, 2/17/09]
-Senator Crapo Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
-Senator Crapo Decried The Recovery Package As “Dangerous” Because “We Can’t Spend Our Way To Prosperity.” [Idaho Mountain Express,2/11/09]
Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) Touted Job Creation, Housing Benefits Of Recovery Package. In a press release, Senator Bond announced, “This is the type of emergency stimulus spending we should be supporting – programs that will create jobs now and help families.” The release also noted, “In Missouri, about 703 affordable housing units approved by the Missouri Housing Development Commission were stalled by the equity gap. For 2009, the state officials anticipate another 2,000 units being stalled. Bond’s amendment will save more than 700 housing units and create 3,000 new jobs in Missouri.” According to KOLR-CBS, Senator Bond toured Missouri to push “his plan to create 3,000 jobs in the state and build more than 700 affordable housing units.” [Senator Bond press release, 2/17/09; KOLR-CBS Springfield, 2/17/09]
-Senator Bond Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
-Senator Bond Blasted The Recovery Package, Stating, “Unfortunately, This Bill Stimulates The Debt, It Stimulates The Growth Of Government, But It Doesn’t Stimulate Jobs.” [Forbes, 2/9/09]
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) Touted Funds From Stimulus Bill He Opposed. The Hickory Daily Record reports that Burr appeared in Bethlehem, North Carolina, to deliver ARRA funds for a fire station there: This summer, the department applied for and won a $2,008,515 federal grant that will pay for a new 19,000-square-foot fire station. On Friday, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr was in Bethlehem to present the grant to the department.
-Senator Burr Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
-Senator Burr slammed the stimulus on Fox News: “This isn’t a stimulus package, this is a spending package.” [Fox News, 3/1/09]
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) Asked Defense Secretary To Steer $50 Million In Stimulus Money To Georgian Bioenergy Project. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “… Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to steer $50 million in stimulus money to a constituent’s bioenergy project. Gates didn’t do it, the AP reported.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/18/09]
- Senator Chambliss Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): Would Be “Crazy” Not To Accept Recovery Package Money. During an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Graham was asked whether South Carolina should “take the [stimulus] money,” to which he replied, “I think that, yes, from my point of view, I — you don’t want to be crazy here. I mean, if there’s going to be money on the table that will help my state, but I’ve got a job to do up here, and that is to try to help people and not damn the next generation.” [CNN,2/11/09]
-Senator Graham Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
-Senator Graham Attacked The Recovery Package For Missing “The Mark A Long Way. We Increased New Government; We Did Not Increase New Jobs.” [ABC News, 2/15/09]
Senator Bob Bennett (R-UT) Boasted Through His Spokeswoman That Pet Project In Recovery Package Is An Example Of “Utah Projects That Would Create Jobs.”According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “Bennett spokeswoman Tara Hendershott said Central Utah Water’s funding is an example of how the senator worked to get money for ‘Utah projects that would create jobs’ in the stimulus bill.” [Salt Lake Tribune,2/20/09]
-Senator Bennett Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
-Senator Bennett Claimed “Unfortunately, The Only Thing This Bill Will Stimulate Is The National Debt.” [ABC-4, 2/16/09]
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Asked Defense Secretary To Steer $50 Million In Stimulus Money To Georgian Bioenergy Project. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “And The Associated Press reported in August that the state’s Republican senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to steer $50 million in stimulus money to a constituent’s bioenergy project. Gates didn’t do it, the AP reported.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/18/09]
-Senator Isakson Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Requested Stimulus Money. The Washington Times reported: “Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, was yet another lawmaker who voted against the stimulus and later backed applications for stimulus money in two letters to the Agriculture Department.” [Washington Times, 2/9/10]
-Senator Grassley Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Brags About Stimulus Projects, Requests More Money. McConnell and Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) toured a construction site at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, Kentucky. McConnell quickly took credit for the new construction, noting that he and Chandler had inserted an additional $5 million into the 2010 budget. McConnell bragged: “This is going to be a source of significant employment. At the peak, we could have up to 600 people working on this, and we believe the substantial majority of those workers will be Kentuckians.” However, McConnell conveniently forgot to mention that even more additional funds for facility construction were awarded through the stimulus. A Defense Department report states that $5,876,000 has been allocated from the Recovery Act to the Blue Grass facility for repairs. (Chandler voted for the stimulus.)
-Senator McConnell Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Requested Stimulus Money. The Washington Times reported: “Murkowski, Alaska Republican, called the stimulus ‘excessive’ and voted against it, though she noted that money in the legislation would benefit her state. She, too, wrote to the USDA to support Alaska projects seeking stimulus funds.” [Washington Times, 2/9/10]
-Senator Murkowski Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Senator Inhofe (R-OK) Hailed $25 Million In Stimulus Money He Called “No Stimulus … Welfare” As “Necessary Funds.” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) told CNS News last month, “I don’t think it [failed] – I know it. I said at the time, there’s no stimulus in the stimulus bill.” He also called the Recovery Act simply “welfare.” However, as MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow reported, Inhofe has a history of stimulus hypocrisy. For instance, despite attacking the stimulus as a complete waste, Inhofe hailed $25 milliondollars in stimulus money for a Tar Creek Superfund site as “great news” and “necessary funds.”
-Senator Inhofe Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) Quietly Requested Stimulus Projects For His State. The Washington Times reported: “Before his vote against the stimulus, Sen. Mike Johanns, who took office last year from Nebraska, predicted that “the money would simply never reach the economy.” [...] Yet he saw the prospect of at least a few dozen jobs in a letter he later sent to Mr. Vilsack for a home-state project, records show. ‘The proposed project would create 38 new jobs and bring broadband to eight hospitals, five colleges, 16 libraries and 161 K-12 schools,” Mr. Johanns wrote.’ [Washington Times, 2/9/10]
-Senator Johanns Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Asked For A Stimulus Job Grant. The Washington Times reported: “Sen. Lamar Alexander, Tennessee Republican, who easily won re-election in 2008, said of the stimulus, ‘This is spending, not stimulus.’ In a letter to Mr. Vilsack for a project applying for stimulus money, Mr. Alexander noted, ‘It is anticipated that the project will create over 200 jobs in the first year and at least another 40 new jobs in the following years.’” [Washington Times, 2/9/10]
-Senator Alexander Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) Asked For $15 Million In Stimulus Money. According to the Wall Street Journal, Shelby “wrote to then-Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell asking for $15 million [in stimulus funds] for cogongrass eradication and control programs in the state. The state ended up getting a $6.3 million grant.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Senator Shelby Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Asked For $15 Million In Stimulus Money. According to the Wall Street Journal, Sessions “wrote to then-Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell asking for $15 million [in stimulus funds] for cogongrass eradication and control programs in the state. The state ended up getting a $6.3 million grant.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Senator Sessions Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) Wrote Two Letters Asking For Stimulus Funds. The Wall Street Journal report: “The Environmental Protection Agency received two letters from Sen. John Cornyn of Texas asking for consideration of [stimulus] grants for clean diesel projects in San Antonio and Houston. Mr. Cornyn is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Senator Cornyn Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) Asked Privately For Stimulus Funds. The Wall Street Journal report: “The Environmental Protection Agency received two letters from Sen. John Cornyn of Texas asking for consideration of grants for clean diesel projects in San Antonio and Houston. [...] One of the letters was signed jointly with Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, also of Texas. The letter said that the Port of Houston Authority ‘has informed me of the positive impact this grant will have in the region by serving as a foundation for PHA’s Clean Air Strategy Plan, creating jobs, and significantly reducing diesel emissions.’” [WSJ, 2/16/09]
-Senator Hutchison Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) Tried To Take Credit For A $1.78 Stimulus Grant He Voted Against. According to the Wichita Eagle, “Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are accusing U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of hypocrisy over federal economic-stimulus spending for a Hutchinson rail spur, claiming he is trying to take credit for something he opposed. At issue is a news release issued by Brownback’s office last week titled ‘Brownback applauds infrastructure development in Hutchinson, Kansas,’ celebrating a $1.78 million federal grant to help build a rail spur to serve the Salt City Business Park. [...] The funding for the rail spur was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $787 billion economic stimulus bill passed in February and backed mainly by President Obama and congressional Democrats.” [Wichita Eagle,10/1/09]
-Senator Brownback Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) Requested $95 Million In Stimulus Money. The Salt Lake Tribune reported: “All four of Utah’s Republicans in Congress voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year, and all of them then used congressional stationary in an attempt to nab stimulus cash for the state. [...] Sen. Orrin Hatch and Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz sent the Interior Department a letter on behalf of the Provo River Water Users Association seeking $95 million in funds, while Matheson pushed for money for national parks in Utah.” [SLT, 10/4/09]
-Senator Hatch Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) Lobbied For Tens Of Millions In South Carolina Stimulus Funds. According to the Georgetown Times, a business coalition called the North Eastern Strategic Alliance worked closely with DeMint to secure millions in stimulus funds for the I-73 corridor highway in South Carolina. [Georgetown Times, 5/31/09]
-Senator DeMint Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote59; Record Vote 60]
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