Dozens of U.S. House Republicans, including Rep. Tom Emmer, voted against a massive infrastructure bill last year, but that did not stop them from seeking money for local projects that would be funded by the bill.
First reported by CNN, dozens of GOP lawmakers who opposed the infrastructure bill have written Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for help. Emmer wrote a letter in June in support of a grant application from Anoka County for construction on the Minnesota Highway 65 corridor.
“This project is important to Minnesota as it serves as a critical corridor of commerce, not just for Anoka County, but all the counties along the MN65 corridor,” Emmer, R-6th District, wrote.
He also said the grant “strives to serve as a social justice measure.”
“The completion of this project means improved economic opportunities for ethnically underserved communities,” Emmer wrote. “Currently, Highway 65 is very difficult to travel or cross for people walking or riding bikes, which is often a barrier to economic prosperity for so many living in and around the area.”
The very politely written letter ends with one more pitch: “This project will allow endless growth to our region and state,” Emmer wrote before thanking Buttigieg for his time.
However, after Congress approved the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, Emmer slammed the legislation: “The House voted on a bill that directs only a fraction of its overall spending towards improving roads and bridges, and lays the groundwork for passage of President Biden’s multi-trillion dollar socialist wish list,” he said.
Biden on Friday mocked Republicans who voted against the infrastructure bill and then sought its funding. Many of them had called the president’s initiative “Socialist,” but in their letters said the legislation’s funding was vital to their districts’ economic health.
“I didn’t know there were so many Socialist Republicans,” Biden said.
The White House estimates that Minnesota will receive about $4.8 billion over five years in federal highway formula funding for highways and bridges. That’s about 30% more than the state would receive if the infrastructure bill had not been approved.
The highway bill also funded separate grant programs for bridge and road programs. That’s the money Emmer and Anoka County sought.
CNN also reported that Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-7th District, also wrote in support of local projects, but a copy of her letter could not be immediately obtained.
The infrastructure bill passed last year was supported by only 13 House Republicans, none from Minnesota. Six Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-5th, joined Republicans in opposing it. The GOP calls for help from a bill they did not support immediately became a campaign issue on Friday.
The Democratic National Committee issued a blast email release that said “in a stunning new low, dozens of congressional Republicans who publicly opposed President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are now asking for infrastructure money they voted AGAINST.”
As proof of the “hypocrisy,” the DNC said that Emmer, “the man supposedly in charge of electing Republicans to the House — had the nerve to call the bill a ‘socialist wish list’ before requesting grant funding for a highway in his district.”
The head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Emmer is heavily favored to win reelection. But some of the other Republican House members who wrote to Buttigieg asking for help have much more competitive races.
Are there still people who can be surprised at the cynical, two-faced Repuglican act?
Candidates have insulated themselves from actual questioning by their constituents. They now communicate with voters exclusively through their advertising agencies. We are left to deriving meaning from grainy, or overexposed videos of women shrieking unintelligible things. I do get that message.
Rep. Emmer aspires to house leadership, which means he will be working for his party, as well as the residents of his district. I would like to know what that means. I would like assurances that in his quest for a congressional leadership position, that he hasn’t “gone Washington”, that he isn’t serving the interest of national Republican backers at the expense of his constituents. Where do I go to get questions like that answered?
Yep. You can’t attend an Emmer “town hall” without being invited. And the only “town hall” he actually shows up to are over the phone where you get selected to speak and he’s not actually required to see anyone (or anyone see him). He will show up at businesses in his district…but only certain parts of his district and only certain businesses. Until recently, I’ve gotten nothing but canned, non-responsive emails after I send him a message. The ONLY exception was to a recent email I sent him about Afghan refugees, but it veered off into concern about Americans still in Afghanistan (seriously, they had warning and don’t have to jump through our ridiculous asylum system or immigration system to get here…so why are they still there? Choice.) I get newsletter emails from him in his “official capacity” but they read as political ads, with the occasional do-gooder scholarship to a couple of kids a year. Ultimately, he’s absolutely NOT responsive to his constituents. He’s comfy in his gerrymandered district, and completely unwilling to represent anyone he doesn’t want to hear from.
In my district, our ex-Representative, Jason Lewis, perfected the current cowardly Republican tactic of only talking to “his people.” Angie Craig has been available to everyone she represents. Oddly, a gay woman has infinitely more courage than a hate-mongering wingnut radio talking head every demonstrated. (His only claim to integrity was bragging about his wife who was a cop.) District 1 is about to become another pack of rural idiots represented by a gutless Republican fascist and slightly more than half of the voters think that is how democracy “works.” The dumbing-down of the United States continues.
“The House voted on a bill that directs only a fraction of its overall spending towards improving roads and bridges, and lays the groundwork for passage of President Biden’s multi-trillion dollar socialist wish list,” he said.
“The White House estimates that Minnesota will receive about $4.8 billion over five years (less than a billion a year) in federal highway formula funding for highways and bridges.” Which makes Emmer’s point. He didn’t vote against the bill because he opposes highway funding. He was against having only 1 billion out of the 1 trillion of the “infrastructure bill” devoted to that.
Total rot. Emmer was against the bill because it was sponsored by Democrats to advance the agenda of a Democratic President. That’s all – there was no detailed consideration of the mechanics of the bill, or any funding formulas. His mission was to oppose it because of who favored it, and that was what he did.
That is incompetently bad math. You already noted that Minnesota would receive $5B in highway funding for roads and bridges. Multiply by 50 states and you’re already up to $250B.
How many failed 1 trillion dollar “Infrastructure Weeks” did Trump hold?
I guess trying and failing is the mark of Trumpian success?
Obviously not followers of Mr. Myiagi:
“No try, only do”
“I was against it before I was for it.” Is this deja vue all over again?
Is anyone surprised at the about face of this guy? Pete Stauber? etc. etc.
So, Tom Emmet believes this “socialist” project will lead to “endless growth” in his congressional district while simultaneously furthering “social justice”? Why, exactly, is he then opposed to socialism?
Ask Venezuela, Cuba, and the rest of your communist friends
Glad to see your condemnation of the Venezuelan government. I’m sure your commitment extends towards folks from Venezuela seeking exile and freedom in a new land and are horrified at the thought of someone rounding up these folks up, filling them full of lies and Big Mac gift certificates and dropping them off without regard for their survival in this new land.
Or not…
Communism is not equal to socialism.
Unfortunately that minor detail is lost on the right, which apparently believes taxes are always bad, government is always bad, and spending is always bad. Until it isn’t; like when Emmer can say he didn’t vote for it, but he’s happy to line up at the trough for his district.
Well, Communism isn’t even equal to communism.
Sorta true. Actual communism has never been tried in any country anywhere. There have been some fairly successful communist communes, but, like capitalism, once a system gets large enough to become unmanageable it turns into crap unless it is relentlessly democratic. Switzerland, a country so much more democratic and capitalist than the US it makes us look like the wannabe-fascist state we are likely to become, is the lone example of a democratic capitalist country and there are several so-called “socialist” countries in the EU that are far more democratic, equitable, and have a quality of life we wish we could achieve. The “isms” are just noise to confuse the easily befuddled, without democracy you are living in one of Maralardo’s “s**thole countries.”
You missed the intended humor.
Ed, fyi…….Socialism: The redistribution of money from the wealthy to the poor for the benefit of the whole.
Communism: All economic & social activity is controlled by the state; all property is held in common by the state; A single political party dominates and rules.
And one more that you should remember from 1/6/21….Fascism: A dictator having complete power; forced suppression of criticism and opposition; aggressive nationalism and racism.
Are you claiming that investing in our crumbling infrastructure is a commie plan? How does one become so devoid of reality?
(yawn)… c’mon, “Ed”… which brush are you really trying to paint Bill with – socialist, or communist?
Under communism, most property and economic resources are owned and controlled by the state (rather than individual citizens); under socialism, all citizens share equally in economic resources as allocated by a democratically-elected government.
GOP House reps all over the country are doing this. Many of them who voted against the bill are campaigning on it. I have no doubt Emmer’s request will be approved, but Hendricks’ next campaign ad should focus on this.
Exactly. The REPs do nada to support a DEM president or his plans or programs, no matter how helpful for the masses. They sit on their hands, block incessantly, bad mouth, denigrate, lie, and vote NO. Then the fund$ get disbursed and suddenly these red state politicians are flush w $$$, calling themselves fiscally astute, moving these fed monies– intended for things like Covid & Infrastructure–into their general funds (not allowed!) Then sending check$ to constituents (buying votes!) while claiming “taxes are too high” here’s a refund. These are the same self-proclaimed ‘Christians’ who clearly don’t understand that religion/belief and who obviously do not adhere to the very basic 10 Commandments. The duplicity, disingenuousness, outrageousness are absolutely mind-blowing. Oh and should they manage to steal enough elections next month, something they’ve been planning since at least 2019, their agenda is already fixed: natl abortion ban (tho not everything is an abortion!), cancel out voters rights, end Medicare, Social Security & SSDI. Use federal $$ to finance charter schools that teach the REP agenda (so no civics, science, math, history, etc). And on and on and on….
In order for this country to continue to move in a positive direction, the two hypocrites, Emmer and Fischbach need to be removed from elected office.
Except she didn’t oppose the bill because it was part of the Bolshevik take-over of America, or whatever nonsense the Republicans were putting forth. She and the other Democrats who voted no wanted the Build Back Better bill taken up at the same time. I don’t agree with what she did, but it is different from the Republican opposition.
Has she touted the wonderful projects that will come to the 5th because of the bill?
Again, this is Republicans waiting for others to take action–and take the heat, t00–before Republicans jump in to take “their share” of the results of others’ work. It really gets so tiresome.
Republicans are socialist for themselves. They write bills to reward their campaign contributors and their supporters, but to help those who don’t vote Republican. No way. Take disaster relief – no votes For Hurricane Sandy, California wildfires or the aftermath of George Floyd, but nothing is going to be too much to ask for Hurricane Ian and Florida, developed in a way to maximize flood surge damages and deaths. No question Highway 65 needs work – but just vote for needed projects than oppose practically every project.
Highway 65 needs LOTS of work. I would benefit greatly from it. But I’m not ok with Emmer getting one iota of credit for it. Does nothing in his JOB, and then writes letters for favors so it looks like he’s doing something.
So you don’t the Representative trying to get some money for the project? Wouldn’t that be his job?
His job is to introduce, debate, and vote on legislation. His job is not to get all grabby handed when everyone else did the work. Local officials can also ask for the money, so he’s not essential to getting funding from the pot. Yeah, it would be great to fund the Hwy 65 project, but he should get no credit. It’s like refusing to help bake the pie and then bragging about how wonderful it is to have gotten a piece. Nice. But someone else baked the pie.
Federal (and many state) legislators cram numerous spending programs into massive single bills, Many of the provisions of these megabills are only loosely related – the full scope of a bill clouded by a grandiloquent title assigned by its sponsors.
The political goal: to gain benefits of the portions of a bill a legislator may view as desirable, he/she must accept the “package” – the “bad” with the “good.” (It also provides campaign fodder against those unwilling to accept an entire “package” to gain a more limited benefit – Rep. X voted against a bill that would have … ).
The $1.2 trillion “infrastructure” bill included just $110 billion for roads, bridges and “major projects.” It doesn’t seem inconsistent if some members of Congress objected to the costly multi-purpose “whole” while seeking approval of much smaller individual road projects.
I would like them to specify what parts of the “whole” they’re against. If they think infrastructure is only roads and bridges then they are quite myopic.
$110 billion for roads and bridges.
$66 billion for railroads.
$65 billion for the power grid.
$65 billion for broadband.
$55 billion for water infrastructure.
$50+ billion for cybersecurity and climate change.
$39 billion for public transit.
$25 billion for airports.
$21 billion for the environment. These monies would be used to clean up superfund and brownfield sites, abandoned mines, and old oil and gas wells.
$17 billion for ports.
$11 billion for safety.
$8 billion for western water infrastructure.
$7.5 bill for electric vehicle charging stations.
$7.5 billion for electric school buses.
Based on that list I’d have to say the GOP is anti-airport, anti-clean drinking water, anti-cybersecurity, anti-seaports, anti-safety, anti-electric power, anti-railroad and pro polluted brownfield sites.
Emmer’s point may be that your list still totals less than half of the $1.2 trillion spend.
“The 2,702-page Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contains $550 billion in new spending. The $1.2 trillion figure comes from including additional funding normally allocated each year for highways and other infrastructure projects”
https://www.investopedia.com/here-s-what-s-in-the-usd1-trillion-infrastructure-bill-passed-by-the-senate-5196817
Thank you Dan for sharing this list.
I too would like the “conservatives” to show the rest of us exactly which line items they would cut in order to extend the season of road construction. Is Broadband coverage already too broad? Maybe we’re overspending on the Power Grid? Is our drinking water too clean?
How is that Broadband project up north coming along by the way?
Once again, we note the utter absence of values, morals and integrity among the “Republican” Party. And they are transparent in their vacancy. This party was formerly comprised of fiscally conservative, “small government” representatives. That’s all changed; the gig is up. It tells its senates and legislatures to vote in lock step at every level of government; political consequences will ensue if not adhered to. This party is not about governance; it’s about gaining power and retaining power at all costs. This of course, by definition, requires it to be the Big Money Party. Because no rational voter in America would ever support a presidential candidate who pays a porn star while in office, grabs women by their privates and brags about it, lies about the size of his Manhattan buildings and his balance sheet, joins forces with Russian oligarchs to ensure his election in the United States of America; and….then tell us his election was stolen. I don’t get this sort of thinking, but then I don’t vote the “Republican” ticket. I prefer my president to be smarter and much more schooled on international and domestic policy than I am. One quick note on fiscally responsible parties: The Democratic Party in America has produced more balanced budgets AND growing economies in my lifetime than anyone since Dwight Eisenhower. Dwight had it all together; he knew we could do important infrastructure progress without breaking the bank. It was called investing. Republicans are wholly opposed to investing in America. Bottom line: It Was All A Lie. Don’t quote me. Read Stu Stevens’ “It Was All a Lie”. You will be forever changed.
“Hypocrite” is just another term for “Republican politician” in recent years. It often applies to people from other political parties as well, but not to the same degree. “Sanctimonious” is another term that would apply especially to Republicans in recent years.
Shocking!! You mean to tell me a politician is begging for the tax dollars they voted against? I’m just shocked. There has never been a time when a Politician voted against a bill and then used that bill to help their constituents. Never ever happened! The “holier than thou” Lefties claiming Emmer being a hypocrite need not look far to see the same thing is done by their party. It is the ole glass house deal! Thinking that politicians are above spending tax dollars willy nilly is just too funny.
You may be right, but I struggle to think of an example of (D)s doing so. At least on this level.
Worse than this are politicians like DeSantis or Rubio who vote against Hurricane Aid for other states, but come begging when it’s their own state in need.
The first vote DeSantis cast when he was in Congress was against aid for Hurricane Sandy.
How badly does Florida need federal assistance if the state has money in its budget to pay for the political theater of flying applicants for asylum from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard? Should there at least be some offset?
Yet another totally fabricated “both side-ism” by a self-proclaimed “conservative”.
(not Tom, but the previous commenter)
We all know which party PRETENDS to value fiscal conservativism while spending like a drunken sailor every chance they get.
Show me a politician that has ACTUALLY been more fiscally conservative than Bill Clinton.
The comments amaze me. If they are handing out money, who wouldn’t want it spent in their own district?? If you voted against legislation, that means somehow that you exclude yourself from it? The law passed. The fake hypocrisy is more than a little overbaked.
Yes, I suppose it’s foolish to expect Republicans to abide by the principles they so piously intone for the gullible.
No matter how cynical you get, it’s almost impossible to keep up.
There is nothing cynical or hypocritical about his actions. If he felt the bill was bad for the country then he was right to vote against it (I personally think the infrastructure bill was overall a good bill) but once the bill was passed and the money would be spent, he was right to make sure that his district received its fair share of the money.
Great comment, and true!
I don’t know… I’d prefer not to be forced to have to pay $10 extra for lunch at a conference. But if I don’t have a choice and it’s included in the cost, I’m not going to turn down the turkey sandwich and cookie that I paid for.
I’m not going to argue against it with inflammatory rhetoric, and then brag about making it happen. Therein lies the hypocrisy.
Well I guess you don’t have to. You aren’t in DC.
I look at that pic and I think, as former CNN anchor Aaron Brown did, “Shame has left the culture.”
Can you imagine the pressure on your conscience, knowing your face is in the same frame with the back of an exiled dictator’s head?
Hypocrisy is hardly the worst offense of the election-denier and National Trumpalist Tom Emmer. The real point here is that had Emmer’s nihilist Do-Nothing party been in power in 2021, an infrastructure bill would never have been proposed, let alone passed.
How do we know? Because when Trumpalists like Emmer were in power 2016-2018, they did nothing, absolutely nothing, on the issue. Or any issue, for that matter.
So yes, go ahead and put this dangerous anti-democratic nihilist back in power. But do not expect him and his Repub colleagues to pass anything of consequence (or even propose anything), because “legislators” are about the last thing they are…
Just remember these politically motivated headlines when the GOP starts to pass bills in the U.S. House of representatives.
I am sure “real journalism” will report the GOP bills and DFL opposition with equal enthusiasm.
The point here is the hypocrisy of Emmer and his fellow nihilists. But should Emmer’s Do-Nothing party regain the House, they won’t do any more actual legislating than they did the last time they held it, because they are a party of grievance not governance. Just like their base!
And I’m sure that the Dems will oppose virtually everything Emmer’s Repubs do propose, because the bills would almost certainly be disastrous for the country, and focused mostly on spite and resentment. Such as the national abortion ban they “promise” to vote on. So one hopes that real journalism will cover that opposition.
I am trying to think of a word for someone who takes credit for or advantage of the actions of others for their own personal gain. Hypocrisy has lost all meaning when used in regards to Republicans, Stolen Valor I think covers a lot of what they do.
Same goes for gas cars!!