Sen. Blackburn, Rep. Griffith among lawmakers who voted no on COVID-19 relief bill

Tennessee US Sen. Marsha Blackburn and 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith of Southwest Virginia are among lawmakers who voted no on a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress Monday.

Both Blackburn and Griffith released statements following the vote, saying they support financial relief to help struggling Americans out in the face of the ongoing pandemic, but shared similar frustrations that the 5,000 plus page bill included what they felt were many unnecessary provisions. Below is the statement issued by Blackburn:

“Since July, Senate Republicans have been working to provide the American people with targeted economic relief in the face of the COVID pandemic. Congressional Democrats fought us every inch of the way, and held this relief hostage as they pressed for over $3 trillion in special interest giveaways. They admittedly used a pandemic to push a socialistic agenda.

Majority Leader McConnell should be applauded for continuing the fight. Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer have finally come to their senses.

The legislation we passed today will support vaccine development and distribution, assist schools and universities, and provide crucial help to Tennessee small businesses.

However, I cannot support nearly $2.4 trillion in spending that will make recovery even harder. I have serious concerns with provisions buried in the 5,593 page bill, such as expanded visas, Pell grants for prisoners, and households with illegal aliens receiving economic impact payments. For these reasons, I voted no on passage of this legislation.”

Also included is a portion of Griffith’s statement following the vote:

“As a supporter of more relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic, I consistently urged congressional leadership to keep any relief package separate from any omnibus appropriations bill to fund the Federal Government. Omnibuses tend to be bloated, filled with unrelated provisions, and cobbled together in backrooms with little time for Members of Congress to read them, much less understand their provisions. They are a terrible way to exercise Congress’ power of the purse.

The omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2021 is the longest bill I’ve been asked to vote on in Congress. It was split into two parts running nearly 5,600 pages. The first totaled roughly 500 pages and included funding for the military and border security, including the border wall. I read this part and found its spending to be largely reasonable, so I voted for it.

The second part containing the remaining 5,000 pages, while reportedly including some provisions I support, also reportedly featured far too many items that have no place in a spending bill. Members of Congress had only a few hours to read and analyze this overstuffed monstrosity. As I have pledged to the constituents of the Ninth District, I will not vote for a bill I have not read in its entirety. I voted no.”

Among those that voted yes on the bill includes both VA US Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner as well as TN US Sen. Lamar Alexander and 1st District TN Congressman Phil Roe.