House Republicans Tuesday announced they would boycott a Democrat-led hearing on infrastructure and other issues.
Rep. Kevin Brady, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, accused Democrats of holding a “sham” hearing for members to discuss upcoming legislative proposals, including an infrastructure bill that could come with a multi-trillion dollar price tag.
Brady, of Texas, said the virtual event is meant to provide cover for Democrats ahead of their infrastructure bill, which he said is likely to exclude any GOP input.
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While the two parties agree on the need for infrastructure legislation, they disagree on how to address the need and how to pay for it. Democrats want to use the infrastructure measure to implement major climate change mitigation and labor union-boosting provisions, for example.
“In our view, today’s hearing is nothing more than another partisan exercise so Democrat House leadership can set up yet another multi-trillion dollar, one-sided spending bill,” Brady said. “This pretend hearing features no expert witnesses, no opportunity for Committee members to respond to or engage with the ideas put forth during testimony. No chance really to voice our own opinions.”
Brady instead convened a virtual hearing with GOP lawmakers on “President Biden’s Recovery-Killing Tax Grab.” Biden is poised to propose increases on corporate taxes and income taxes for those earning more than $400,000.
Republicans want Democrats to hold in-person hearings on infrastructure that would include witnesses and an opportunity for members to ask questions and hold discussions on the proposal, such as how to pay for it and what kind of projects it should fund.
Democrats have not yet announced infrastructure hearings, and Republicans fear they won’t hold any.
“Basically, they expect the Republicans to show up and behave like potted plants so they can claim they did something,” a Republican aide said.
Democrats say they want Republican input on the infrastructure bill.
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, told reporters the issue has long been bipartisan.
“Building our transportation system has long been bipartisan,” Pelosi said. “It is our hope that spirit will prevail as we address other critical needs in energy and broadband, education and housing, water systems, and other priorities.”
