WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-26) issued the following statement after voting against the budget resolution:
“At a time when so many Americans are bouncing back from the economic and financial turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress must renew its efforts to provide relief to those who really need it. This includes connecting the $1 trillion in already existing funds passed in last year’s coronavirus relief packages. We still have $59 billion dollars for schools to use to re-open safely, $239 billion for hospitals and health care providers to bolster their operating capacities, and $452 billion available to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program and other federal government loan programs. Getting these funds to the people who need them the most must be our top priority.
“We cannot allow partisan politics to hijack the budget process and lay the ground for irrelevant, radical wishlist items to be rammed through Congress. For example, I will never support taking Floridians’ hard-earned money to bail out failed pension systems in Illinois, New York, or California under the guise of COVID-19 relief.
“I am ready to work with my colleagues when Members of Congress are committed to having a serious deliberation on providing further assistance to individuals and businesses who legitimately need aid.
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Originally published at https://gimenez.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2A5C9EB3-C3D7-4604-B455-44BF0027520C
