As Congress considers a second round of funding for small businesses and hospitals to the tune of a half-trillion dollars, one Republican representative demanded lawmakers rally back to Washington, D.C., to vote in person on massive debt spending.
Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw addressed the House of Representatives on Thursday without a mask and urged its members to return, many of whom attended the session virtually.
“We are asking our grocers to ask our shelves, truckers to drive, and nurses and doctors to risk their lives, but Congress can’t even bother to vote to help small businesses in time,” Crenshaw said. “In fact, many want to vote from home or by proxy. If you think that’s leadership, then I would encourage you to rethink what it means to be a representative.”
Members fiercely debated the merits and cost of the economic relief bill, with Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threatening to vote against the bill because it does not address worker concerns.
In March, Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie was criticized for demanding an in-person roll call vote for the first economic relief bill, which will cost taxpayers over $2 trillion.
“Leadership is courage to lead from the front. It is steadfast judgment free from cynical opportunism,” added Crenshaw. “Leadership means acting worthy of the people we represent. If we are to survive this historic crisis, we might collectively stiffen our spines and demonstrate to the American people what that looks like.”
