Vulnerable Republican legislators taking credit for an infrastructure bill they opposed

Keith

June 10

An interesting article in Politico entitled "How vulnerable GOP lawmakers are taking credit for an infrastructure law they opposed," caught my eye. The subtitle offers some more context.
"Rep. Nancy Mace celebrated a public transit project in her district that was made possible by the infrastructure law, which she called a 'socialist wish list' and a 'fiasco.'" She is not the only or first politician to pat themselves on the back for success they politicked against.

A few paragraphs follow: "Billions of dollars in infrastructure funding are flowing into cities and towns nationwide, nearly three years after Congress passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill approving the cash.

And some vulnerable House Republicans are tacitly taking credit for the local funds, despite opposing that bill…

Only 13 House GOP lawmakers voted for the 2021 law to fund roads, rails and bridges, a deal shaped in large part by Senate negotiators whom conservatives mistrust. Some of those 13 left Congress after facing threats from the right and vociferous criticism from former President Donald Trump, who said they should be 'ashamed of themselves.' The vast majority of Republicans opposed the bill due to the huge price tag, and many simply didn't want to give President Joe Biden a win.

But almost three years later, the slow-moving machinery of the federal purse is kicking into gear. Highway projects in Iowa have already opened, more than a billion dollars have been pledged for a power plant upgrade in California and millions have been slated for a public transit project in South Carolina. There's still a ways to go on most projects, but announcements and preparations have started across the country.

Those battleground Republicans who opposed the law are careful not to tout their personal involvement in it on Capitol Hill — instead, they're showing up at opening ceremonies and praising the actions of local leaders."

What I find interesting is Trump touted infrastructure funding back in 2016. He actually had Democrat support to do something. Instead, his first priority was to kick Americans off healthcare by repealing the ACA. Thank goodness that effort failed.

Infrastructure needs exist. About a dozen years ago both the labor unions and US Chamber wanted more investment in infrastructure. Trump did not walk the talk. Biden did. Good for him and the places where investment will occur.