• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Saturday, January 28, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

Ernst: The Democrats’ ‘COVID Relief’ Bill is Partisan, Pricey, and Full of Pet Projects

Joni Ernst: Hardworking Iowa taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for Speaker Pelosi’s and Senator Schumer’s wish list of long-time liberal priorities.

Joni ErnstbyJoni Ernst
March 9, 2021
in Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015.

It’s no secret that the worst global pandemic in a generation has brought unforeseen challenges and hardships. But it’s often during these challenging times when the American people band together, and we’ve seen it: folks across Iowa have risen to the occasion to help out their friends, family members, neighbors, and communities. We’ve also seen it in our government. Even in increasingly partisan times, state legislatures—and even Congress—have worked across party lines to provide relief to those who need it.

RELATED POSTS

Hendrickson & Williams: To achieve meaningful property tax relief, right size government 

Reynolds: An open letter to Iowans about school choice

Miller-Meeks: Improving American healthcare

I’ve been proud to work with Democrats and Republicans to pass five overwhelmingly bipartisan packages to support Iowans, and all Americans. And last week, I was ready to do it again.

Unfortunately, my friends across the aisle had a different idea.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ignoring President Biden’s call for unity, Democrats—led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer—shut out myself and my Republican colleagues and instead focused on fast-tracking their highly partisan, nearly $2 trillion “COVID relief bill” through Congress. Despite what they’re calling the legislation, this package is full of spending that has absolutely nothing to do with addressing the immediate needs of COVID-19.

Hardworking Iowa taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for Speaker Pelosi’s and Senator Schumer’s wish list of long-time liberal priorities. That’s why I worked to shed light on the extraneous provisions in the bill—and we had some success. After bringing attention to the $1.5 million of taxpayer dollars set aside for building a bridge from the state of New York to Canada, this partisan pet project was struck from the bill. We also exposed—and stopped—a cleverly-worded provision that earmarked $140 million for a subway in California’s Silicon Valley. What do these projects have to do with COVID? The answer is nothing.

Sadly, there is plenty of additional pork in this bill. There’s still a whopping $350 billion bailout of “blue” states that the Democrats crafted to reward states with mismanaged budgets and bad past behavior. The biggest winners include New York and California.

What else is in this mammoth package? A loophole that allows millionaires, yes millionaires, to take advantage of a program intended to help make quality child care affordable for working parents who are struggling to make ends meet. And then there’s millions for so-called “environmental justice grants.” Instead, this money could be better used on things like broadband for schools that have needed additional help with connectivity during COVID-19. Unfortunately, with just nine percent of this bill actually going to COVID health spending, these are just a few examples—the liberal wish list is long.

I fully understand that there are still needs that must be addressed across the country. But instead of bridges and bailouts and money to millionaires, this package should be focused on immediate help to get folks back to work, kids in school, and vaccines in Iowans’ and all Americans’ arms.

The money Democrats want to spend isn’t monopoly money. It’s going to be paid out of the pockets of essential workers and others who are continuing to work, pay taxes, and keep America running. And of course, by my daughter and the generations to come.

As I’ve said, COVID relief should focus on COVID relief. Period. Instead, Democrats turned their back on bipartisanship for their own political interests and party priorities and shoved through their nearly $2 trillion bill without any Republican support.

Tags: COVID-19COVID-19 ReliefJoni Ernst
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Hinson Opposes Gun Control Legislation on House Floor

Next Post

Reynolds Extends February Eliminations of Certain COVID-19 Regulations

Joni Ernst

Joni Ernst

Joni Ernst has represented Iowa in the U.S. Senate since 2015. A Republican from Red Oak, Ernst served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011 to 2014, and in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Related Posts

Ernst: $600 now buys you a new tax form.
Opinion

Ernst: $600 now buys you a new tax form.

December 12, 2022
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial
Federal Government

Ernst calls on White House to reinstate ban on ‘risky research’

November 28, 2022
roasted turkey on white ceramic plate
Opinion

Ernst: Thanksgiving trimmings have a different meaning this year.

November 22, 2022
Grassley: Big Victories for Rural Healthcare
Federal Government

Grassley says ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ threatens religious institutions

November 17, 2022
corn field
Federal Government

Grassley, Ernst urge USTR to intervene in Mexico’s ban on American corn

November 15, 2022
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial
Opinion

Ernst: It’s time to seriously address the fentanyl crisis.

November 8, 2022
Next Post
Reynolds Extends Mask Mandate, Gathering Restrictions By One Week

Reynolds Extends February Eliminations of Certain COVID-19 Regulations

Iowa Senate Dem: Iowa’s Homeschooling Law May Contribute to Human Trafficking

Iowa Senate Dem: Iowa's Homeschooling Law May Contribute to Human Trafficking

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Iowa’s New Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Overall Rates Rise

Iowa Experiences Nation’s 3rd Largest Employment Recovery Since Start of 2020

July 19, 2021
Miller Backs Biofuels Industry in Supreme Court Case

Ernst, Hinson, & Feenstra Weigh In on Abortion Case Before Supreme Court

December 2, 2021
Axne Calls for President Trump’s Cabinet to Invoke the 25th Amendment

Campaign Finance Group Files Ethics Complaint Against Axne

September 23, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Miller-Meeks: Improving American healthcare

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Local Rap Artist’s Non-Profit Receives Grant to Help At-Risk Youth Graduate

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa House Republicans outline priorities with first 13 bills

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Senate Passes Governor’s School Choice Bill

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.