Lawmakers reject Pelosi’s priority in the relief package, and the New York Bridge also won

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Republican lawmakers celebrate the Senate lawmaker’s decision to withdraw from the coronavirus relief package a $ 100 million extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system outside of San Francisco.

GOP lawmakers also announced the removal of $ 1.5 million for the Seaway International Bridge, which connects New York with Ontario and has historically been one of the busiest border crossings between New York and Canada.

Republicans characterized target spending as pet projects for Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiBiden: Coronavirus relief law tests reduce democratic majority. Some Republicans claim that voting by delegation gives Democrats an advantage. (D-California) and leader of the Senate majority Charles SchumerChuck Schumer Does a Biden Stumble upon China? The first black secretary of the sworn Senate that the Republican candidate for the Ohio Senate calls for the Republican Party representative to resign by indictment (DN.Y.), describing them as the first examples of useless priorities from the $ 1.9 trillion package wish list.

“We saw the swamp return to Washington: $ 100 million for a tunnel in Silicon Valley, right next to Speaker Pelosi district or a bridge for Schumer,” the house’s minority leader said Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthy Some Republicans say voting by representation gives Democrats an advantage Wray says there is no evidence of “antifa” turnout in the Jan. 6 attack. Republicans snatch GOP lawmakers to vote on behalf of CPAC MORE (R-California), he said last week.

A Senate source, however, said Schumer was unaware of the bridge’s funding even included in the bill until he read it in the media.

His. Chuck GrassleyFBI Director Chuck Grassley faces lawmaker frustration over the Capitol’s failure. Padilla has “filled” the great Chuck Taylors to replace the Harris Judicial Committee. (R-Iowa) on Wednesday announced the MP’s ruling against the California public transportation project as a much-loved victory.

“Parliamentary rules against the Pelosi tunnel are a small victory, there are still many more $$$ in the bill that are not related to COVID, but as a matter of common sense, the Silicon Valley tunnel should What does this new pandemic pilot project mean? !! ”Grassley tweeted.

Republican whip of the Senate John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneSenate Whip GOP: Murkowski’s vote on Tanden is “fluid” right now GOP says Ron Klain pulls Biden’s ropes Rick Scott acknowledges Biden won election “absolutely” MORE (RS.D.) said the California bill “kicked out Byrded,” referring to the Senate Byrd Rule, which limits what can be protected from an obstacle to the Senate floor by special budget rules.

Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill confirmed Tuesday that both projects had been dropped and argued that Republicans now have little reason to oppose the popular aid package.

Hammill noted that the pandemic “has had an immediate and overwhelming effect on all of our transportation systems” and that the House included $ 1.425 billion “to help dozens of major rail transit capital projects.”

The senior Democratic aide characterized the bridge money as a project that would have primarily helped the rep. Elise StefanikElise Marie StefanikCuomo calls on New York AG to appoint independent lawyer to investigate sexual harassment claims Psaki: Cuomo should face “independent review” of sexual harassment allegations New York billboard calls for Cuomo’s accusation amid controversy MORE‘S (NY) home district.

“The Senate MP has now ruled that the BART extension from San Jose to Santa Clara does not meet the requirements of the Byrd rule because it is part of a pilot project. Therefore, it will be removed from the conciliation package,” he said. the helper.

“$ 1.5 million in funding for the Seaway International Bridge in Rep. Stefanik District has also been removed,” he added. “Now that the two bills that Republicans tricked the public into the House bill have been eliminated, it’s unclear how Republicans will justify their opposition to the U.S. bailout plan, which has strong bipartisan support among citizens. “.

A Senate source said the drafters of the Senate relief bill withdrew funding for the International Seaway Bridge originally requested by the Trump administration because Stefanik, a staunch supporter of Trump, refused to defend the its inclusion in legislation.

The loss of federal funding could affect the future operation of the bridge, which suffered a massive loss of traffic and revenue during the pandemic due to the closure of the U.S.-Canada border. Maintenance and toll revenues dropped to $ 170,000 a month due to travel restrictions.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Stefanik, said her boss has delivered for her district in other ways.

“During her last term in Congress, Representative Stefanik delivered more than $ 75 million in federal allocations for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, including $ 6 million for the Seaway International Bridge she delivered with the former secretary. of the DOT Elaine ChaoElaine Chao: The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden on COVID-19: Americans will be “better” next year Buttigieg sets targets for electric and automated charging vehicles Ben Carson launches conservative think tank MORE, “she said.

“Congresswoman Stefanik also continues to strongly advocate for a safe reopening of the U.S.-Canada border, which would support the bridge,” he said.

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