ICYMI: Kurt Schrader Flip-Flops to Support Pelosi’s Socialist Agenda
Kurt Schrader flip-flopped on his vote for House Democrats’ corrupt COVID relief bill, even though he originally said, “there is a lot of stuff in there that was not COVID-related whatsoever.”
His change of heart came days after he caved to union pressure and flip-flopped on another bill he previously opposed.
Schrader is a flip-flopping DC politician who falls in line whenever his party bosses crack the whip.
In case you missed it…
Rep. Kurt Schrader reverses COVID relief vote
Newport News Times
Michael Heinbach
March 11, 2021
https://newportnewstimes.com/article/rep-kurt-schrader-reverses-covid-relief-vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A day after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve a $1.9 trillion economic relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which President Joe Biden signed on Thursday, area Democrats were still buzzing about Oregon 5th Congressional District Rep. Kurt Schrader’s ‘yea’ vote in favor of the bill’s passage.
That came after Schrader, whose district encompasses all of Lincoln, Marion and Polk counties and portions of Clackamas, Tillamook, Benton and Multnomah counties, was one of only two House Democrats to vote against the stimulus package on Feb. 26 when it passed through House.
On March 1, Schrader, who has represented the district in the House since January 2009, told KATU television why he voted against the initial version of the stimulus package, which features $1,400 payments to most Americans, and an extension of increased federal unemployment payments.
“I would have liked to have time to deliberate a little,” Schrader said in the interview at the beginning of the month. “What is working, what isn’t working … there is a lot of stuff in there that was not COVID-related whatsoever. Some of it was counterproductive.”
Schrader’s first vote in the House against the relief package sent a ripple through Democrat organizations throughout his area of representation.
An open letter signed Monday by the Democratic Party chairs of Lincoln, Clackamas, Marion, Polk and Tillamook counties urged Schrader to pass the U.S. Senate-amended package when it was scheduled to return to the House for approval midweek.
“Congressman, the American Rescue Plan is the centerpiece of President Joe Biden’s agenda to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rescue our economy,” the letter reads. “For you to vote against this critical legislation without consulting the communities in this district, or providing a clear explanation, is betrayal of your duty to best serve your constituents. We urge you to support this critically important plan as the measure returns for House consideration this week.”
Schrader did, in fact, reconsider, and on Wednesday voted along party lines as the measure passed with no Republican support. Rep. Jared Golden, of Maine, was the lone Democrat to vote against it.
“Today, I voted for final passage of the American Rescue Plan, to address COVID-19 and the ensuing economic fallout,” read a Wednesday statement posted to Schrader’s official Twitter account. “The goal of this bill is straightforward — contain the virus, provide relief to families and individuals, send children back to school and support struggling businesses.”
When Schrader announced he intended to vote to approve the package, he received more backlash, this time from the National Republican Congressional Committee for his backing of the PRO Act in the House, a unions-backed bill that protects workers’ rights to organize and limits the steps employers can take do disrupt them.
“Last night, Kurt Schrader voted for House Democrats’ Protecting Rights to Organize (PRO) Act — a bill he previously voted against,” wrote Courtney Parella, regional press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee in an email to media outlets. “Schrader’s flip-flop comes after he openly admitted the bill will hurt Oregon’s small businesses. Looks like he cares more about winning back his union donors.”
After passing through the House Tuesday by a 225-206 vote, the PRO Act isn’t expected to advance out of the Senate due to lack of Republican support.
Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law on Thursday, which expands health insurance coverage, child tax credits and provides state and local government with federal funds.
In marking the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden was expected to speak to the nation Thursday evening in his first prime-time address.