House Majority Whip James Clyburn reportedly described the coronavirus relief package currently being debated in Congress as a “tremendous opportunity.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision,” the South Carolina Democrat allegedly said on a phone call with fellow members of his party last week.
A bit of a clap back from republicans. pic.twitter.com/8iiwtHs4HC
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 23, 2020
Democrats have been widely criticized for attempts to include perceived policy goals into the coronavirus relief package.
“The famed quote from Rahm Emanuel, that’s President Obama’s chief of staff: ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste.’ Sadly, we’re seeing the embodiment of that cynical approach right now,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on the Senate floor. “Because with all the people out of jobs, the Democrats are using this to push — what are they pushing for? Changing the emissions standards on airplanes,” Cruz said. “What the hell do the emissions standards on airplanes have to do with thousands to people dying and millions of people out of work in the coronavirus epidemic?”
Sen. @tedcruz UNLOADS on Dems from the Senate floor:
“What the hell do the emissions standards on airplanes have to do with thousands of people dying and millions of people out of work in the Coronavirus epidemic?” pic.twitter.com/zXiQjJRpRA
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) March 23, 2020
Democrats blocked a Republican-proposed virus belief bill in the Senate and proposed in the House a bill including several provisions that don’t appear to have any connection to the virus, including $300 million for refugees and migrants, $35 million in funding for the Kennedy Center for the performing arts, new fuel emission standards, and a climate change study.
Clyburn’s office responded to the reports by supplying a press release with a statement saying the congressman’s comment was taken out of context.
