Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz clashed with Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar on Twitter over $350 million in funding for refugees and migrants in the coronavirus relief package making its way through Congress.
“Millions of Americans need help now. Dangerous poison pills like $350,000,000 for ‘Migration and Refugee Assistance’ put America LAST. Democrats: This is not the time to advance your legislative agenda. This is the time to put #AmericaFirst,” Gaetz tweeted on Wednesday.
Millions of Americans need help now. Dangerous poison pills like $350,000,000 for “Migration and Refugee Assistance” put America LAST.
Democrats: This is not the time to advance your legislative agenda.
This is the time to put #AmericaFirst. pic.twitter.com/1N9ArCVr5V
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 25, 2020
Omar took issue with the Florida congressman’s tweet, arguing that funding for large companies should cause more concern than funding for migrants and refugees.
“Immigrants and refugees, are Americans/pay taxes and as vulnerable communities need the resources ‘..to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus,’” the Minnesota Democrat said. “Wonder why this upsets you more than a $500,000,000 billion corporate welfare fund for a select group of large companies?”
Immigrants and refugees, are Americans/pay taxes and as vulnerable communities need the resources “.. to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus”.
Wonder why this upsets you more than a $500,000,000 billion corporate welfare fund for a select group of large companies? https://t.co/JHffEcPxj8
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 27, 2020
“Much of this money will be spent on illegal immigrants in the United States, and foreign migrants around the world,” Gaetz countered. “Neither of those groups are Americans. This does not belong in a relief package for American workers and businesses. #AmericaFirst.”
Much of this money will be spent on illegal immigrants in the United States, and foreign migrants around the world.
Neither of those groups are Americans.
This does not belong in a relief package for American workers and businesses. #AmericaFirst https://t.co/UT1eCauWm9
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 27, 2020
Democrats have been criticized by conservatives for measures in the coronavirus relief package that they claim are unrelated to immediate relief for citizens affected by the outbreak. This includes $25 million in funding for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which has been shut down because of the pandemic.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended Democratic additions to the bill, saying they were “all about the coronavirus.”
Speaker Pelosi:
“Understand this about this. It’s very important to know this. This is all about the coronavirus. It’s not about anything else. It’s about the coronavirus.”pic.twitter.com/RA56p2Uj62
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 26, 2020
The Senate unanimously passed the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package on Wednesday. The House is expected to take up the legislation on Friday. If passed, the bill will land on President Trump’s desk for his signature.
