Republican Exposes Dems' Wasteful 'COVID' Spending by Proposing $10k Stimulus Checks
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) slams Democrats over massive $1.9 trillion relief package
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A Republican congressman has exposed the wasteful spending in the Democrats' massive $1.9 trillion "COVID" relief package by proposing $10,000 stimulus checks for every American.
Before House Democrats passed their $1.9T package early Saturday, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced an amendment proposing an increase to the stimulus check amount, taking the payouts to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples.
The proposal sought to highlight the wasteful spending being pushed by the Democratic Party.
The Democrats' bill is filled with items completely unrelated to coronavirus-related relief.
Rep. Gosar argues that the wasted spending should be cut, with the money being returned to Americans that need it.
Gosar's amendment would eliminate 10 sections from the legislation, that used taxpayer money to fund items unrelated to COVID relief, and instead, divide up those savings and send the money out to Americans in the form of $10k relief checks.
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Specifically, Gosar sought to eliminate spending for:
- Farm loan assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
- So-called "Vaccine confidence activities"
- "Global health" initiatives
- Family planning
- Capital investment grants
- National Railroad Passenger Corporation grants
- Special financial assistance program for financially troubled multi-employer plans
The billions of dollars saved by eliminating funding for such non-COVID-related items should be given back to struggling Americans in the form of increased stimulus checks, Gosar said.
In fact, Gosar explained on Twitter that "only 9% of Pelosi's $1.9 trillion plan' is related to COVID-19."
"I offered an amendment to prioritize $10,000 stimulus checks to Americans most affected by COVID-19 and lockdowns," the Arizona Republican said.
"Instead, Democrats chose foreign aid, Big Tech transit, and Pelosi's political priorities over direct relief to American citizens," he added.
"Governement (sic) ordered the shutdown and broke the back of the economy. Break it, buy it," Gosar said.
"Americans need help with car payments, mortgage, rent, and everyday necessities.
"The people, not government, corporations, or billionaires, need this help."
Only 9% of Pelosi’s $1.9 trillion “plan” is related to COVID-19.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) February 27, 2021
I offered an amendment providing $10k stimulus to Americans most affected by COVID-19 & lockdowns.
Democrats chose foreign aid, Big Tech transit, and Pelosi’s political priorities over direct relief for Americans. pic.twitter.com/RzXos92QW7
The amendment was rejected by Democrats, who ultimately passed their stimulus bill, according got The Blaze.
The $1.9 trillion legislation includes the controversial federal minimum wage hike, which the Senate parliamentarian has already ruled cannot be included in the Senate version of the bill if it should be passed in the upper chamber through the budget reconciliation process.
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Two Democrats ultimately crossed party lines and voted against the bill: Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.).
Golden later explained that he voted against the bill because of the wasteful spending unrelated to COVID relief.
"This bill addresses urgent needs, and then buries them under a mountain of unnecessary or untimely spending," Golden said.
"In reviewing the bill in its full scope, less than 20 percent of the total spending addresses core COVID challenges that are immediately pressing: funding for vaccine distribution and testing, and emergency federal unemployment programs."
