Gallagher Statement on Pelosi’s Payout
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today released the following statement after voting against H.R. 1319, Speaker Pelosi‘s $1.9 trillion payout disguised as Coronavirus relief.
“The House just voted on the “American Rescue Plan,” which, by the sound of it, would give the nation the resources it needs to finally defeat this disease. But when only 9% of the $1.9 trillion it spends goes to actually fighting the Coronavirus, it’s clear this bill is a “rescue plan” in name only. No wonder my colleagues waited until the middle of the night to pass it.
“There’s overwhelming bipartisan support for providing targeted relief that ensures hospitals have the resources they need to distribute the vaccine, schools can reopen safely, and small businesses can continue to get through this crisis. Unfortunately, instead of trying to work across the aisle, House Democrats opted to pass a liberal wish list poorly disguised as Coronavirus relief. The American people are tired of this.”
Speaker Pelosi’s payout would:
- Authorize approximately $130 billion to schools without any guarantee that schools provide the option of in-person instruction for America’s students.
- According to CBO, 95% of the money for schools won’t be spent until after 2021 – slowing down getting kids back in school.
- Nearly all of the $68 billion obligated to K-12 schools remains available from previous relief packages to support reopening schools and could be utilized immediately.
- Establish the “Emergency Federal Employee Leave Fund,” which allows certain federal bureaucrats up to 15 weeks of paid leave, up to $1,400 a week, for various reasons including if their child has the option or is required to participate in virtual learning.
- Dedicate less than 9% of the $1.9 trillion plan to combatting COVID-19 through public health spending such as national vaccination program, tracking, and more testing.
- Fail to include Hyde protections to prevent taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions.
- Change PPP affiliation rules for non-profits to allow Planned Parenthood to receive funding.
- Kill 1.4 million jobs by raising the national minimum wage by 107% to $15/hour.
- Include a $350 billion bailout for blue states.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
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Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher
It is OK to give money to billionaires to mitigate the economic effects. But $1.9 trillion to help families and small businesses is a waste of money. If you want to put people back to work, you need to pump money into the economy. This $1.9 trillion dollar price tag will generate $2.375 trillion in economic activity. That is an enormous and necessary shot in the arm. Where will the money be spent? $130 billion goes to school districts to make it possible for schools to return to in-person instruction. One of the major stumbling blocks for schools re-opening are the aged and inadequate ventilation systems in too many of our school building. These funds will help update HVAC systems that will help protect our children in the near future as schools re-open but also when the next deadly virus hits. The $130 billion also means jobs for furloughed works AND money being spent in local communities at local businesses. “Pelosi’s” $1.9 trillion payout will be a hardworking investment in Main Street USA and is a far better use of tax dollars than the $1.2 trillion tax give-away of 2017, with its negligible effects on the US economy.
This is just another example of Republicans being pennywise and dollar foolish.
Representative Gallagher likes to present himself as a thoughtful, moderate conservative. He is constantly pushing the Trump agenda even after the January 6 insurrection where he said that he grabbed his Marine Ceremonial Sword to defend his office from the rioter. He also talks about how much he likes Ron Johnson.