Palmer to Vote Against Democrat Bailout Bill: “This is not about COVID relief”

February 26, 2021

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921

Palmer to Vote Against Democrat Bailout Bill: "This is not about COVID relief"

Washington, D.C. – House Democrats plan today to pass their $2 trillion stimulus bill that has been presented as another COVID-19 relief bill. In reality, only 9% of the bill's spending focuses on public health programs related to COVID-19, while the rest goes towards leftist political priorities. Congressman Palmer released the following statement:

"This is not about COVID relief, but about the Democrat agenda," Palmer said. "It's packed with partisan priorities, like bailouts for state governments that were poorly run even before the pandemic, stimulus checks for federal employees to stay home and not work, and funding for a bridge from New York to Canada. Republicans have consistently demonstrated the willingness to work across the aisle and pass serious COVID relief. If this current bill were about COVID relief, Democrats would not have rejected Republican amendments to provide $5 billion to assist with vaccinations in rural areas or to help small businesses with new health safety measures."

Palmer continued, "Billions of dollars from this bill would also not even be spent during this fiscal year, including much of the funding set aside for schools. That means that the bill also discourages schools from reopening while children are still struggling with severe mental and physical health issues after not having been in their classrooms for a year."

"This stimulus bill is also a repeat of the failed stimulus passed in 2009 under President Obama and then Vice President Biden," Palmer concluded. "Unemployment rose and household income fell, and we can expect the same thing to happen again if this bill passes. Our economy is still in recovery mode, and this package would hinder, not help, that process."

Read more from the Republican Policy Committee about the provisions in the stimulus bill here.

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