An interesting article in Politico entitled “How vulnerable GOP lawmakers are taking credit for an infrastructure law they opposed,” caught my eye. The subtitle offers some more context.
“Rep. Nancy Mace celebrated a public transit project in her district that was made possible by the infrastructure law, which she called a ‘socialist wish list’ and a ‘fiasco.’” She is not the only or first politician to pat themselves on the back for success they politicked against.
A few paragraphs follow: “Billions of dollars in infrastructure funding are flowing into cities and towns nationwide, nearly three years after Congress passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill approving the cash.
And some vulnerable House Republicans are tacitly taking credit for the local funds, despite opposing that bill…
Only 13 House GOP lawmakers voted for the 2021 law to fund roads, rails and bridges, a deal shaped in large part by Senate negotiators whom conservatives mistrust. Some of those 13 left Congress after facing threats from the right and vociferous criticism from former President Donald Trump, who said they should be ‘ashamed of themselves.’ The vast majority of Republicans opposed the bill due to the huge price tag, and many simply didn’t want to give President Joe Biden a win.
But almost three years later, the slow-moving machinery of the federal purse is kicking into gear. Highway projects in Iowa have already opened, more than a billion dollars have been pledged for a power plant upgrade in California and millions have been slated for a public transit project in South Carolina. There’s still a ways to go on most projects, but announcements and preparations have started across the country.
Those battleground Republicans who opposed the law are careful not to tout their personal involvement in it on Capitol Hill — instead, they’re showing up at opening ceremonies and praising the actions of local leaders.“
What I find interesting is Trump touted infrastructure funding back in 2016. He actually had Democrat support to do something. Instead, his first priority was to kick Americans off healthcare by repealing the ACA. Thank goodness that effort failed.
Infrastructure needs exist. About a dozen years ago both the labor unions and US Chamber wanted more investment in infrastructure. Trump did not walk the talk. Biden did. Good for him and the places where investment will occur.
musingsofanoldfart 
Note to Readers: Taking credit for something you were against reeks of Machiavellian spin-doctoring. It is worse than Monday morning quarterbacking.
They have no ethics
Heck, they don’t even know the meaning of the word ‘ethics’ … or ‘integrity’ or ‘character’.
Jill, those words are also missing from the lexicon. Keith
Holly, ethics is one of the first attributes to go. Keith
Used to be I thought 1930 Germany was an anomaly and couldn’t fathom or even imagine how it could happen.
Holly, sadly that is a good analogy. Hitler was more evil, but a more inspiring speaker than Trump. It still amazes me that people buy Trump’s sales schtick, but they do. Keith
Around here, all they seem to be doing with the money is building roundabouts. Or, whatever they call them wherever you live. Considering how URGENTLY our bridges and highways need attention, I can’t figure out why they are wasting the money on stuff we DON’T need. I guess you can blame that on our local leaders.
Marilyn, I am not a fan of driving roundabouts, but I think they are designed to reduce the gas guzzling stops. I do agree that we need to repair and rebuild bridges. Keith
Amazing, isn’t it, that they will fight tooth-and-nail against something, then take credit for it when it proves to work and to be popular. Yesterday I read that Donald Trump is trying to take credit for getting the cost for insulin down to $35 … funny that until Biden took office, I had to purchase my insulin from a Canadian pharmacy because it would have cost me over $1,200 per month to buy it here.
Jill, the former president shows a high propensity to take credit for things he did not do, such as turn around an economy that was already in its 91st consecutive month of growth when he was sworn in. Keith
Note to Readers II: I made reference to the US Chamber and labor unions jointly supporting the funding for infrastructure about a dozen years ago. It was a bipartisan push led by former governor of PA, Republican Ed Rendell and former Director of Transportation Democrat Ray LaHood. Rendell noted in his comments to Congress, there were over 2,000 bridges in PA alone needing repair.
More of the press should be covering this story. The run one way and vote another is dishonest and these legislator’s constituents need to be informed by their local news outlets. Every time someone shows up at an event trying to ride the coat tails of its popularity the local news there should be pointing it out, regardless of party affiliation.
Also, this railing against rampant government spending while taking credit for all the spending in their own districts is nothing new. It has been going on as long as I can remember and unfortunately a big part of the problem is the voters themselves because they always think that spending in another district is a boondoggle but spending in their own is an investment.
Thanks Kevin. I spoke with a staffer for Rep. Nancy Mace and said “I was bemused” by her support of the local spending effort from the bill. It should be covered more. Keith
So rich. So ironic. So true. So sad.
Thanks Linda. So right.