Andy “Handgun” Harris remains at work fighting for the interests of the Eastern Shore. On Saturday, his contribution was to vote against the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act. The bill passed the House, 219-212, with all Republicans and two Democrats voting “no.” But if Andy had his way, you could forget about those family stimulus checks of $1,400 for adults earning $75,000 or less a year, $1,400 payment for each dependent child, a $3,600 annual tax credit per child under age 6, and $3,000 per child up to age 17.
The bill also increases the weekly unemployment benefit from $300 to $400 per week through August 29, provides $130 billion in new funds for K-12 public schools, and $85 billion in new funds to fight the pandemic: Roughly $50 billion for virus testing and contact tracing, $19 billion to increase the size of the public health workforce, and $16 billion to fund vaccine distribution and supply chains. Dr. Harris apparently concluded that these investments are not necessary. I wonder if a second opinion from Dr. Fauci might differ.
If the ARPA sounds like a liberal wish list to you, maybe Harris is right. Here’s how Harris explains his vote:
From funding the Pelosi tunnel to the Schumer bridge, the Biden bailout is nothing but a pricey liberal wish list. If Democrats were serious about focusing on COVID-19, they would focus on spending the $1 trillion in currently unspent stimulus dollars, reopening schools, and following the science on vaccine policy. Unfortunately, future generations will be saddled with the Biden bailout’s big price tag.
Analyzing this statement, the first thing to notice is a reference to the “Pelosi tunnel.” It is $141 million of the $90 billion provided for infrastructure. Of the entire $1.9 trillion bill, it is 0.000074 of the total spending. Is it wasteful spending? It’s a subway tunnel in Pelosi’s district, described by critics as a “pet project” but supported by others in the area. There appears to be no evidence that Harris researched the proposed tunnel before condemning it. And even if the tunnel were wasteful spending, does that justify opposing the entire bill, which will provide millions in needed funds for Marylanders?
The bill also calls for funding for the “Schumer bridge,” which is a reference for the Seaway International Bridge. This is $1.5 million (not a typo) of the spending. Apparently, Andy “Handgun” Harris wasn’t aware that the funding request did not originate with Senator Schumer. It was made in 2020 by the Trump Department of Transportation, headed by Elaine Chao, spouse of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Curiously, Harris does not mention relief for small businesses, including SBA loan forgiveness. Has Dr. Harris concluded Maryland small businesses don’t need help? Are you aware of any small business that has not been hurt by the shut down?
He also is not talking about the $47 billion in the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund. I wonder if some of that money might come in handy for the Eastern Shore next time a major hurricane hits.
Final passage on the ARPA will hopefully occur soon. At this point, it is a safe bet that both our Senators and every House member, other than Harris will vote for it. Maryland voters should remember this vote. Harris is out of touch with the Eastern Shore. Issues other than the Second Amendment are important to us.
“Handgun” Harris is wrong to oppose this legislation.
J.E. Dean of Oxford is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and domestic policy.
Bill Barron says
While much of the spending proposed by this bill makes some sense, there are some fatal shortcomings that deserve debate and compromise rather than the partisan, winner-take all Democrat strategy. First, most of the money proposed for education and infrastructure won’t be spent in time to have any measurable effect on economic recovery from the pandemic. Harris is right….these are Democrat “porky” wish lists. Second, the family stimulus is well-intentioned only so long as it is appropriately targeted……and it’s not. I’m retired and have not had my income change because of the pandemic. Yet, I got a check during the last stimulus and will, no doubt, get another when this bill is forced through congress. Why should anyone whose financial circumstances haven’t changed receive a stimulus? Biden’s cavalier response that we must “Go Big” is reckless and ignores the very real prospect of eventual hyper- inflation.
By the way, use of a snarky, perjorative nickname for Mr. Harris is petty and does nothing to advance your case or clarify his position on this bill.
Deirdre LaMotte says
A substantial number of economist believe we need to go big with this relief plan. Biden is correct to heed that advice. Harris will not support anything the Democrats want so please pass on “porky” comments. Infrastructure is about roads, gas, water, broadband, electric…you know, jobs.
So let the GOP place one more nail in its political coffin because this is something the majority of Americans want.
Besides, our infrastructure has been given a D by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Remember scientist and how we used to listen to them? We do again.
Bill Barron says
If Congress wants infrastructure improvements, pass a bill to do that. Don’t call it COVID relief. This bill is way too extensive and complex. If Biden truly wants to be bi-partisan as he claims, then he needs to “reach across the aisle” and listen to the other side.
As for what Americans want, of course a majority favors the bill; given a choice, poor people will vote to be rich.
Bill Barron
Deirdre LaMotte says
You last sentence exposes so much; so very revealing. Yeah, those lazy poor people who want what’s “mine”. How misguide,wrong, you are.
John Dean says
Thank you for commenting. Let me politely disagree with you that the legislation has “fatal shortcomings,” but the issues you raise are worthy of debate. I was sorry that an effort to hammer out a bipartisan bill did not take place. I also agree that the bill was used as a vehicle for spending unrelated to the pandemic or otherwise unnecessary. Unfortunately, the use of budget reconciliation bills (the format for the American Rescue Plan Act is a reconciliation bill) to facilitate the passage of legislation that would not otherwise pass is common.
Despite the issues with the bill, Harris should have voted for it. I was troubled by his flippant explanation of why he opposed it–citing the “Pelosi Tunnel” and “Schumer Bridge.” I may have taken his opposition more seriously had he addressed other issues with the bill.
I share your concern about the high level of spending triggering inflation. I hope that doesn’t happen. I agree with Biden, however, that a “big” response to the pandemic is needed.
You may be right that using a “snarky, pejorative” nickname for Harris may not help my case. I used it because I remain troubled about his attempting to bring a loaded handgun onto the Floor of the House of Representatives. I also believe that there are many issues of greater importance to the Eastern Shore than the 2nd Amendment.
I very much appreciate your response to the piece.