Rep. Paul Gosar opposed COVID-19 relief funding before he shamelessly took credit for it

Laurie Roberts, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
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Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., voted against the American Rescue Plan Act. Twice.
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., voted against the American Rescue Plan Act. Twice.
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Rep. Paul Gosar announced on Monday that a slice of bacon is winging its way west to the hometown folks. Specifically, a federal grant to help the city of Kingman combat the spread of COVID-19.

The city will get $32,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to help operate and clean the airport.

“I am pleased to announce that the City of Kingman will receive this critical funding for economic relief related to operational costs for cleaning and sanitizing the Kingman Airport to combat the spread of COVID-19. This funding is essential to maintaining safe and reliable air service to the community,” Gosar said, in his press release.

Funny thing. Gosar wasn’t so pleased when the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed. In fact, he voted against the bill. Twice.

Did Gosar forget his vote? Or hope that we did?

Do you suppose he’s forgotten those votes, taken in February and March?

Or that he’s just hoping the rest of us have?

“This bill is not about COVID relief,” Gosar railed in February, shortly before voting against it. “It’s about funding Democrat’s pet projects. The American people should be furious.”

“The #CovidReliefBill is a Democrat spending bonanza! It’s a blowout of their greatest hits,” he tweeted a day later.

Three days later, he (and every other Republican) voted no.

The $1.9 trillion package provided billions in stimulus and rescue funding to Arizona, helping cities, schools, small businesses, people and yes … Kingman's airport.

For which Gosar is now taking credit.

“We are grateful for Congressman Gosar’s continued support, and this funding will help with the ever-growing Kingman Municipal Airport operations,” Kingman Mayor Jen Miles said, in Gosar’s press release.

Strange how one man’s “Democrat spending bonanza” can also be “critical funding for economic relief”.

When it comes time to take credit, that is.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Paul Gosar opposed COVID relief funding he now trumpets