Stimulating Hypocrisy: 111 Lawmakers Block Recovery While Taking Credit For Its Success
- From: Raymond <Bluerhymer@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:51:54 -0800 (PST)
The hypocrite's crime is that he bears false witness against himself.
What makes it so plausible to assume that hypocrisy is the vice of
vices is that integrity can indeed exist under the cover of all other
vices except this one. Only crime and the criminal, it is true,
confront us with the perplexity of radical evil; but only the
hypocrite is really rotten to the core.
~Hannah Arendt, On Revolution, 1963
Stimulating Hypocrisy: 111 Lawmakers Block Recovery While Taking
Credit For Its Success
House of Commons 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]
Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC) Hosts Recovery Package Workshop, Says
He Is “Prepared To Fight” For “Fair Share.” The Citizen-Times,
reported: “‘I didn’t vote for it, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t
support Western North Carolina getting its fair share. We’re prepared
to fight for that,’ Shuler told some 220 local officials gathered at
the Asheville Renaissance Hotel for a workshop on how local
governments can plan and apply for stimulus funding.” [Citizen-Times,
1/20/09]
-Congressman Shuler Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Roll
Call Vote #46; Roll Call Vote #70]
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. We’re piling so much debt up on ourselves and future
generations that we make ourselves vulnerable both economically and
from an international standpoint.” [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 and
ensure 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 Aderholt (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. Aderholt 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]
SenateSen. 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]
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 Vote
59; Record Vote 60]
-Senator Bennett Claimed “Unfortunately, The Only Thing This Bill Will
Stimulate Is The National Debt.” [ABC-4, 2/16/09]
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 Vote
59; 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]
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]
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]
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 Vote
59; Record Vote 60]
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 Vote
59; 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]
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 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 Vote
59; 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]
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]
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 Vote
59; 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]
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 million dollars in stimulus money for a Tar Creek Superfund
site as “great news” and “necessary funds.”
-Senator Inhofe Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote
59; Record Vote 60]
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 Vote
59; 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]
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]
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]
House of Lords 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]
Hypocrite -Senator Shelby, Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice
[Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]
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