GOP attacks Biden relief bill

Republicans attack newly signed $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus bill as they scramble to find a foothold in messaging against Democrats’ first major victory by 2022 .

GOP lawmakers, who voted in unison against the legislation, are betting they will be able to reduce the bill’s popularity in the long run, even though polls have shown it garners broad approval, including understood from their own constituents.

Congressional Republicans are focused on two fronts: highlighting provisions they believe will hurt Democrats and accusing their political opponents of trying to take credit for an economic recovery that Republicans say has been brought to bear. wanked by the Trump administration.

“I’m not surprised that the initial reaction of the American public to this, before they know what’s in it, is positive. The idea that many Americans are getting a check for $ 1,400, why wouldn’t they like it? »Leader of the minority in the Senate Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Pentagon Takes Heat For Extending Guard’s Time At Capitol Fundraising Spits Points At Trump-GOP Cracks Top GOP Senators: Capitol Police Don’t Justify More Security READ MORE (R-Ky.) Said in an interview with “PBS NewsHour.”

“What they don’t know is how far the bill has nothing to do with the pandemic,” McConnell said. “The economy is just going to have a fabulous year. It has nothing to do with this huge Democratic wishlist.

Republicans have their work cut out for them.

A Morning Consult and Politico poll found that 75% of registered voters, including 59% of Republicans, support the bill.

A Pew Research survey put support among Republicans lower at 41 percent, but found a divide within the party with just 30 percent of Conservatives saying they support it, compared to 61 percent of moderate Republicans. or self-identified liberals.

His. Marco rubioMarco Antonio RubioOvernight Defense: Leading GOP Senators Demand Responses On Extended Guard Deployment, Capitol Fencing | Childcare costs estimated at 1M | House Panel To Resume War 2002 Permission Repeal On The Money: Biden Celebrates Relief Bill With Democratic Leaders | Democrats Debate Fast Track For Hillicon Valley Infrastructure Package: Google Criticizes Microsoft For “Bare Corporate Opportunism” | Sanders invites Bezos to testify at inequality hearing | AFL-CIO hits Rubio for union approval READ MORE (R-Fla.), Who is due for re-election next year, called the polls a “joke.”

“I mean, public polls are only as specific as the people who do them, the methodology they use and everything in between. … There is a lot, a trillion dollars of non-COVID stuff. When people find out, they will be outraged, ”Rubio added.

The GOP’s political gamble comes as the party must defend 20 Senate seats in next year’s midterm elections, including two in states won by President BidenJoe BidenPentagon Takes Heat To Extend Guard’s Time At Capitol Booker To Try To Make Child Tax Credit Expansion Permanent Sullivan Says Tariffs Will Not Be Central Talks With China READ MORE: Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Senate Republicans huddled behind closed doors at the Republican National Senate Committee (NRSC) this week for a caucus lunch, where they say Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Who oversees the election campaign, briefed them of the state of the 2022 races and how they might try to militarize pieces of the coronavirus bill against the Democrats.

His. Mike braunMichael Braun Amazon Deleting Books That Describe LGBTQ Issues As Mental Illness Senate Honors ‘Hoosiers’ Movie Senate Gears Up For ‘Horrible’ And ‘Stupid’ Session Before COVID-19 Relief Vote MORE (R-Ind.), Asked about Scott’s post, summed it up by saying, “Just that a lot of what’s in this package feels good, the poll behind it, but when we flesh out the exact details, the Most people will say, “What?”

The NRSC is already running digital ads against Sens. Mark KellyMark KellyCollins to back Becerra for HHS secretary, Manchin to vote to confirm Becerra as HHS secretary Schumer moves to discuss Becerra’s appointment after committee draw READ MORE (D-Ariz.) And Raphael warnockRaphael Warnock Biden and Harris to travel to Atlanta to sell bailout package Trump urges Herschel Walker to run for Senate in Georgia Mike Lee says’ People’s Vote Bill ‘is’ like it has been written in hell by the devil himself ” MORE (D-Ga.), Who are both on the ballot next year, on the COVID-19 relief bill.

“The $ 2 trillion stimulus package President Biden enacted … is a historic waste of money that not only puts our economy at risk of inflation, but also reflects the Party’s increasingly liberal priorities. Democrat today, ”Scott said in a statement.

The GOP Senate effort comes as old President TrumpDonald TrumpPentagon Takes Heat For Extending Guard’s Time At Capitol Fundraising Spits Points At Trump-GOP Cracks Trump Rally Organizer Says Alex Jones Threatened To Take Her Off The Stage: Report READ MORE, which has drawn bipartisan criticism for its handling of the pandemic, has also taken credit for the development of the coronavirus vaccine.

The recent coronavirus bill – the first of the relief measures to pass party lines – includes a $ 1,400 stimulus check, extends unemployment payments until early September, aims to reduce child poverty and provides more funding for schools and vaccines, all of which are being touted by Democrats.

In a look at the mail wars to come, Republicans point to hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments that saw their tax bases dry up during the pandemic, but most GOP senators see this funding as a safety plan.

They are also trying to tie the bill to larger cultural issues, highlighting Democratic opposition to an amendment by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) That would have blocked funding for schools for transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports. and a proposal from Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). in the. Ted cruzRafael (Ted) Edward Cruz Poll: 81% of Republican Voters Favor Trump Bill Would Prevent Biden From Removing Cuba From List As State Sponsor Of Terrorism Biden DOJ Candidate Apologizes For ‘Harsh Rhetoric’ ‘amid criticism from the GOP (R-Texas) on stimulus checks for undocumented immigrants.

The bill already included language prohibiting undocumented immigrants from qualifying for checks, but Cruz and Sen. Dick durbinDick Durbin Democrats urge IRS to help unemployed use tax breaks Manchin cements key Senate vote status 50-50 Schumer proposes to present Becerra’s nomination after committee meeting READ MORE (D-Ill.) Accused each other of lying in a multi-day fight that began when, hours after a marathon voting session, the Texas Republican claimed the stimulus bill would allow every immigrant without papers to get a check.

A CNN fact check later said they were both wrong, because while most undocumented immigrants do not qualify, a subset that has Social Security numbers will be eligible.

McConnell, at a press conference with reporters, pledged to keep hitting Democrats over the bill, saying Republicans “will talk repeatedly about the provisions of the bill that Democrats don’t want. not discuss ”.

Democrats, however, are riding high after securing their first major legislative victory.

His. Gary PetersGary PetersSenate panels advance nomination of Shalanda Young as OMB deputy director Wave of Senate retirements puts GOP ranks in defense Abrupt retirement shakes Missouri Senate race READ MORE (D-Mich.), Who chairs the Senate Democratic campaign wing, touted the bill as a direct result of the Democrats’ takeover of the majority in the Senate.

“As our country rebuilds itself after this crisis, voters will know that Democrats have brought real relief and meaningful results while Republicans have put political obstruction first and turned their backs on their states,” a- he said in a statement after Biden signed the bill.

The campaign arm also circulated a list of provisions in the bill that Republicans voted against, lashed out at local newspaper headlines touting the bill in key 2022 battlefield states, and broadcast digital ads against Rubio and Sen. Ron johnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonAshcroft turns down his candidacy to replace Blunt in Missouri Senate GOP faces brain drain in retirement A wave of Senate retirements puts GOP ranks on defense MORE (R-Wis.).

Democrats are also watching Republicans trying to take credit for the bill.

His. Roger wickerRoger Frederick WickerWhite House Plans PR Blitz To Sell Coronavirus Relief Bill Restaurant Group Raises Relief Fund Thanks To GOP Lawmakers Who Opposed Bill The Hill’s Morning Report – Brought to you by National Shooting Sports Foundation – House passes relief bill; Biden set for prime-time address LEARN MORE (R-Miss.) Lauded restaurant funding in the bill, even though he voted against the comprehensive legislation, drawing criticism from Democrats. Wicker, when asked about his tweet, told reporters that “a good supply in a $ 1.9. a trillion dollar bill doesn’t mean I have to vote for the whole thing.

Wicker and Democratic Senator. Kyrsten CinemaCatering Group Kyrsten Sinema Receives Relief Fund Thanks GOP Lawmakers Who Opposed Bill Collins To Support Becerra For HHS Secretary We Need Voting Workaround READ MORE (D-Ariz.) Previously proposed an amendment to a subsequent budget resolution that paved the way for the coronavirus bill.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPelosi launches debate on infrastructure, urging bipartisanship Biden celebrate relief bill with Democratic GOP leader to try to force Swalwell out of panel MORE (D-Calif.), Speaking to reporters, predicted that more Republicans would take a similar approach and hinted Democrats would be willing to call them.

“We have a Democratic president. Suddenly many of the same features of these other bills, one size or another, are found in this bill. And the Republicans decided they couldn’t be for it, ”she said. “It is sad. As I said, they will take credit for it in their districts. But we’ll have more to say about it.