WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $8.3 billion supplemental appropriations bill to respond to coronavirus cases in the United States. Congressman Biggs voted against the package calling it “bloated.”
The bill passed 415-2 vote, with Biggs and Ken Buck of Colorado voting in opposition.
“In true Washington, D.C. fashion, congressional appropriators turned the president’s reasonable $2.5 billion request into a bloated $8.3 billion package,” stated Biggs. “By passing this larded-up bill, Congress again fails to wisely appropriate taxpayer dollars. I would have supported the president’s request for $2.5 billion, knowing that, if we spent all the funds, Congress could have provided additional funding.”
President @realDonaldTrump initially asked for $2.5B for coronavirus funding.
Today, Congress votes on a package around $8B.
This is the problem with D.C. We shouldn’t exploit a problem to pass a bloated spending bill.
Americans count on us to spend their money wisely. pic.twitter.com/moaebDOFGe
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 4, 2020
Biggs was not the only representative unhappy with the bill.
Democrats are trying to tie pieces of their liberal agenda to #coronavirus funding.
Democrats are playing games with American lives. Shameful. https://t.co/PCFLviJyd1
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) March 4, 2020
The House just passed a bill w/ my support to provide emergency supplemental funding for the U.S. response to coronavirus. This funding will be used to produce diagnostic tests, develop medicine to treat the infected, develop vaccines & assist w/ state and local response efforts. pic.twitter.com/dmy7P9NKmL
— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) March 4, 2020
The House just passed an $8.3 billion emergency #COVID19 funding package to respond to this public health emergency. Americans need a fully-funded, coordinated, government-wide response to stay safe and healthy. We’re working together to combat the virus and save lives.
— Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) March 4, 2020
The coronavirus package will help ensure every level of government has resources needed to respond to & contain #Covid_19. $ for research & development will expedite development of an affordable vaccine & low-interest loans to small businesses mitigate the impact to our economy.
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) March 4, 2020
? BREAKING: The House today passed, on a bipartisan 415 to 2 vote, emergency supplemental appropriations legislation to address the coronavirus outbreak. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (@RepKirkpatrick) March 4, 2020
The measure now goes to the Senate.
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