WASHINGTON – Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), Lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1319, the Democrats’ partisan coronavirus relief bill. 

“The American people need COVID-19 relief that is targeted, temporary, and focused on conquering this virus and improving our economy. Unfortunately, the bill that passed the House tonight misses the mark on all those points, and ironically, treats the virus as an afterthought.

“With less than 9% of the bill’s spending actually going towards combating the virus through health measures like vaccinations, testing, and contact tracing, the bill amounts to an epic bailout for longtime Democratic spending priorities. Most of the legislation goes to programs unrelated to COVID and are unhelpful to the everyday American worker: Nearly half of the bill’s funding will not be spent until 2022 or later, a staggering $140 million is included for a rail project backed by Speaker Pelosi, and Democrats continue to insist on a $15 minimum wage estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to cost 1.4 million jobs.

“I am disappointed that unlike the last five bipartisan relief bills signed into law, the effort behind this bill has been partisan from the start, with no meaningful attempt from Democrats to work with Republicans. The end product is a bill that does plenty for partisan priorities but little for American workers, who would assume its cost for generations.”