Republican Governors Have No Problem Spending the COVID Relief Money They Opposed – Vanity Fair
The ink had barely dried on the COVID relief package Democrats passed in the spring when some of the same Republicans who voted against the legislation began touting its benefits in their districts, an example of the partys efforts to have it both waysto reflexively bash Joe Biden and the Democrats while claiming credit for the popular parts of their agenda. Now, as they lambast the president for what they describe as out-of-control spending, theyre taking a similar tack: Decrying the American Rescue Plan and other initiatives in their attacks on Biden over inflation, even as they embrace the resources such plans have afforded.
As the New York Times reported Wednesday, Republican governors have made use of Bidens COVID stimulus money, even as they condemn it in public remarks as a giant handout. It would be spent somewhere other than South Dakota, said Governor Kristi Noem, who previously suggested she would turn down the nearly one billion dollars in federal funding but has since made plans to put the money toward water projects, housing, and daycare in the state. The debt would still be incurred by the country, and our people would still suffer the consequences of that spending.
Montanans are struggling with the Biden inflation tax, seeing their paychecks stretched thinner and thinner as inflation hits a high we havent seen in nearly four decades, Governor Greg Gianforte said last week, after Consumer Price Index numbers showed inflation soaring by 6.8% in November over the previous year. I urge President Biden and Democrats in D.C. to turn off the spigot of out-of-control spending and get inflation under control. Per the Times, that spigot has poured about $906 million into Gianfortes state, which has used the federal dollars for infrastructure projects and other measures.
This is not to suggest that these states do not deserve federal dollars or that governors critical of Biden shouldnt be making use of their portions. Residents of these states should benefit from the COVID bailout. But it is, of course, hypocritical to rail against these so-called handouts while they stretch their hands out to the administration.
Inflation has emerged as a significant challenge for Biden, whose otherwise solid economic rebound has been nagged by high consumer prices. Much of the issue appears to be driven by demand and a disjointed supply chain. But the American Rescue Plan has, indeed, seemed to contribute to the overheated economy, and criticizing the policy is by no means out of bounds. Missing from the GOP broadsides, though, are the very real benefits of the legislation, which theyve appeared willing to accept.
Ive had direct conversations with virtually all of the Republican governors or their top officials, Gene Sperling, who is leading the Biden administrations pandemic relief efforts, told the Times. And to the one, they have been constructive, nonpolitical, nuts and bolts conversations about how they can best use their American Rescue Plan funds for things like broadband, schools, water and work force development in a way that meets the needs of their state.
Republicans understandably turn to the government for assistance when their state needs it, as Kentucky Senator Rand Paul did in recently urging Biden to move expeditiously to approve the appropriate resources our state following the devastation from tornadoes; the president declared a federal disaster the next day. But as the Washington Post notes, the senators request conjured memories of Pauls own lengthy history of opposing congressional legislation written to address past disasters, including bills passed following hurricanes Sandy, Harvey and Maria directing billions of dollars of assistance to stricken Americans. Paul told the paper that critics were distorting his record. We should do all we can to help our Kentucky neighbors, Rep. Eric Swalwell tweeted. God be with themthey are hurting. But do not for one second forget that [Paul] has voted against helping most Americans most times theyre in need.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
Why Gutting Abortion Rights Could Damage SCOTUSs Own Legitimacy Jared and Ivanka Try Slithering Back to Polite Society A Potential East Hampton Airport Closure Ignites Class Warfare A $2.5 Billion Plan to Thwart COVID Variants Is Stalled Inside the Biden Administration Mark Meadows, Who Knows Where Trumps Bodies Are Buried, Is Cooperating Meet the Lawyers Trying to Set Ghislaine Maxwell Free Did Twitters Jack Dorsey QuitOr Was He Fired? Trumps Capacity to Steal the 2024 Election Is Only Growing From the Archive: Twitters Constant State of Turmoil Not a subscriber? Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.
See the original post:
Republican Governors Have No Problem Spending the COVID Relief Money They Opposed - Vanity Fair
- Can Trump handle the new Republican factions? - Financial Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Column: I watched Trump's inauguration with a Democrat and a Republican. Here's what they saw - Los Angeles Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026 - The Colorado Sun - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Inside The Farce Of Swaying Republican Senators On Trumps Nominees - TPM - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Congress moving more slowly than Trump on Republican agenda - Semafor - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Lawmaker Calls for Bishop to Be Deported for Telling Trump to Have 'Mercy' on Scared Children - LatinTimes - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Senators find their spines hiding behind a brave woman - Boing Boing - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Idaho Republican Party says it needs help paying its rent for Boise HQ - Idaho Capital Sun - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- As Trump takes office again, he has even more sway over the Republican Party - NPR - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The Battle over Veterans Health Care: How the Republican Majority Hopes to Reshape the VA - Military.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Sheriffs are going to be emboldened: Republican sheriffs are raring to implement Trumps deportation plans. - POLITICO - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The Battle Over Veterans Health Care: How the Republican Majority Hopes to Reshape VA - The War Horse - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Ten US Senate Democrats help advance Republican bill on migrants accused of theft - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican SNAP Proposals Could Take Food Away From Millions of Low-Income Individuals and Families - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican infighting flares after Burrows elected speaker - The Texas Tribune - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican states can move ahead with abortion pill lawsuit in Texas - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican Governance Group wants to live up to its name - Roll Call - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Cuomo on the Ballot? Adams as a Republican? Candidates Have Limited Options and Little Time - THE CITY - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Lancaster County Republican suggests issues Trump should include in his inaugural address [column] - LNP | LancasterOnline - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Porn case in the Supreme Court this week is about protecting children, says Republican AG - Fox News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Fox News Host Presses Republican on Trump Plan'Is This Really Realistic?' - Newsweek - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Just before Trump takes office, Meta is replacing its top policy exec with a prominent Republican - CNN - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Connolly Statement on Republican Rules Package for the 119th Congress - Gerry Connolly - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Altria donation pushes Republican Party of Kentucky headquarters building fund to $3.65 million - User-generated content - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- 'Is it realistic to deport everybody?' Top Senate Republican on Donald Trump's mass deportation promises - USA TODAY - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Meta's Nick Clegg to step down, will be replaced by well-connected Republican - Axios - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Meta Taps Republican as New Head of Global Policy - The Wall Street Journal - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- GRI Action Workshop # 7: The Republican Agenda What It Is, Where It Came From, How We Can Serve the Common Good - Redheaded Blackbelt - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Adam Kinzinger Brutally Sums Up The 'Entire' Republican Party With Just 1 Acronym - HuffPost - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Another Democratic state lawmaker in Florida is joining the Republican party - The Associated Press - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Republican Allegedly Refusing To Lower Flags to Half-Staff Sparks Anger - Newsweek - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson Elected House Speaker After Republican Holdouts Change Their Votes in the First Round - PEOPLE - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Dave McCormick sworn into office, poised to build on Trump-led Republican agenda - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Republican senator reveals the best way US can 'counter terrorism' - Fox News - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Family of Rep. Kay Granger Reveals She Has Dementia; Texas Republican Has Missed Every Vote Since July - Democracy Now! - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- GOP Spending Rebellion Is Ominous Sign for Trumps All-Republican Government - The Wall Street Journal - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- What we know about the 2024 Democratic and Republican parties: An analysis of congressional candidates - Brookings Institution - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Transcript: Rep. French Hill, Republican of Arkansas, on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 22, 2024 - CBS News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Trump's agenda in trouble? What the Republican revolt on spending bill tells us - USA TODAY - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- The new right gathers to celebrate Trump and the splintering of the Republican Party - The Associated Press - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Trump calls out Texas Republican after voting against deal to prevent government shutdown - Austin American-Statesman - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- House votes down Republican bill to avert shutdown on eve of the deadline - NBC News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Elon Musk 'Runs the Republican Party'Congress Reacts to CR Bill Collapse - Newsweek - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump hopes a Republican challenges U.S. Rep. Chip Roy over debt ceiling opposition - The Texas Tribune - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Analyzing Trump's historical impact on the Republican Party - CBS News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- House Republican to OSHA: Drop worker heat protections - E&E News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- House votes down Republican bill to avert shutdown on eve of the deadline - MSNBC - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Rep. Carbajal Blasts Republican Budget Obstruction Holding Up More than $14 Million in Central Coast Projects - Salud Carbajal - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Republican Appeals Court Judge Griffin asks the NC Supreme Court to throw out votes - NC Newsline - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Democrats tank laughable Trump-backed spending deal with the help of Republican conservatives - Yahoo! Voices - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- How I lost my faith in the court system (Letters to the Editor of The Republican) - MassLive.com - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Republican spending bill to avert government shutdown fails in House as it happened - The Guardian US - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- An emerging Texas megadonor just pledged $20 million to expand a true Republican majority - The Texas Tribune - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Trump Pledged to Cut Taxes for Expats. This Republican Wants to Make It a Reality. - The Wall Street Journal - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Trump pushes for FBI probe of Republican Liz Cheney over Jan. 6 panel - Reuters - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Romney stands by Trump criticism but says MAGA is now the Republican Party - CNN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Reflections, gratitude, and excitement for Marshalltowns future - Marshalltown Times Republican - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- MAGA is the Republican party: Mitt Romney on GOP after Trump win - CNN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Mitt Romney predicts JD Vance will be 2028 GOP nominee: 'MAGA is the Republican Party' - USA TODAY - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Adam Kinzinger Tells Us Why Hes The Last Republican in New Trailer (Exclusive) - Hollywood Reporter - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- US Senate Rejects NLRB Chairman McFerran Nomination; NLRB Poised To Switch To Republican Majority in Early 2025 (US) - Employment Law Worldview - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Key Republican Calls For Criminal Probe Of Liz Cheney Over Jan. 6 Committee Work - HuffPost - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Outgoing House Republican: 'The Less' Congress Does, 'The Better' - Newsweek - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Dozens of Republican governors pledge to work with Trump on mass deportations: We stand united - Fox News - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Webb Countys top elected official switches to Republican Party - The Texas Tribune - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- What Does a Republican-Controlled Government Mean for Retirement? - U.S News & World Report Money - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Florida lawmakers party switch increases Republican supermajority in the House - The Associated Press - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trumps mass deportation effort - The Associated Press - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- California High-Speed Rail Federal Funding Targeted by House Republican - Newsweek - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Levin: Broadband Affordability Should Be Republican Priority - BroadbandBreakfast.com - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Republican telework claims aren't remotely true - Bleeding Heartland - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Republican Trifecta, Federal Budget Negotiations Could Have a Positive Impact on the Nursing Home Sector - Skilled Nursing News - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Did 'The View' just play fake audience applause for a Republican interview guest? Listen here - Entertainment Weekly News - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- House Republican Wants Party To Boldly Own Plans To Gut The Social Safety Net - TPM - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- Republican Lawmaker Brazenly Threatens Another Basic Right - The New Republic - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- Californias Republican caucus is growing and more diverse, but its a long way from power - CalMatters - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Republican Health Coverage Proposals Would Increase Number of Uninsured, Raise Peoples Costs - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Red tide: Fall River flipped Republican for first time in a century. How did Trump do it? - Fall River Herald News - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Johnson Gearing Up To Slow Chinese Influence Next Year With Republican Majorities - KCCR-AM - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Americans opinion of Republican Party on the rise - The Hill - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]