(TheRedWire.com) – Several Republican Senators are upset about the amount of waste, duplication, and liberal spending in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. Passed by the Democratic-led Senate on March 6, the partisan legislation could be passed by the House as early as March 9, and sent to the president’s desk. Among the Senators upset over the bill, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) expressed concern about the amount of spending and the consequences that could come with it.
I voted against the $1.9 trillion #COVID19 package because it’s full of wasteful spending unrelated to urgent pandemic needs. Republicans, in good faith, sought to negotiate a compromise bill that would have targeted COVID assistance to those who really need it.
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) March 6, 2021
Romney offered several arguments against the bill. Among them is $195.3 billion earmarked for states, some of which aren’t experiencing financial difficulties. Among the 21 states that saw a revenue increase last year, Romney said California earned a $27 billion surplus. The Utah Senator added the money going to states that don’t need it will add to the national debt without helping those who need the money or benefitting the economy.
Additionally, Romney argued that states were already reimbursed $150 billion for COVID relief in the CARES Act in 2020. Instead of giving money out like candy at a parade, Romney said some states do need help, and the bill should specifically target them.
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