Stefanik’s claim for delivering infrastructure is a lie
Gas has gone down in each of the past nine weeks
By Ken Tingley
It was a bald-faced lie.
Of course, our congresswoman Rep. Elise Stefanik has always had a dubious relationship with the truth, so I suppose that is not surprising.
She recently made a trip to Ogdensburg where she tweeted the following:
“In order to help keep Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge in sustainable working order, I proudly delivered $3 million in funding to address degrading conditions of the bridge and help prevent a significant lead-based risk to the environment.”
But of course that was not entirely true. The funding was part of the federal infrastructure bill that Congress passed last year. At the time, her office issued a press release about why she voted against the bill:
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today voted against Democrats’ so-called “infrastructure” package that would prioritize large, Democrat cities over rural America as part of Democrats’ radical agenda to impose the largest tax increase in our nation’s history.
I think you can hardly characterize Ogensburg as a “large Democratic city.” But here was $300 million to repair a important traffic span into Canada that Rep. Stefanik is now taking credit, despite the fact she not only voted against any funding for infrastructure, but that she argued it was politicized to benefit her opponents.
If Rep. Stefanik announced the sky was blue tomorrow, it probably should be fact-checked.
Here were some of the responses to her tweet:
“There were thirteen (13) @GOP who voted for the Democrat's infrastructure bill that is responsible for those funds. Funny, your name doesn't seem to be on the list.”
“No you didn't, @EliseStefanik. You voted against the infrastructure bill. I know you're not, but you should be ashamed of yourself for tweeting this lie.”
“Hey folks, can we remind Elise she voted against it?”
“Wait. You just tried to take credit for a bill you voted against. You are really a terrible liar.”
“It’s never not funny watching frauds like you take credit for infrastructure funding you voted against when it’s time to collect a check. Imagine what more your district might have gotten if you hadn’t been obstructing it.“
“To be exceedingly clear, Elise didn't vote to repair bridge. She voted AGAINST it. She's taking credit for Dems voting to keep this country in working order. See also: Beth Van Duyne, Lance Gooden, Cruz & Cornyn, Pete Sessions, Ronny Jackson - who all voted NO to improving U.S.“
It is encouraging to see that many of her constituents are not buying any of it. Those who don’t should just check the facts.
Some good news
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that despite Congress’ abominable approval level, it has actually gotten some important work done over the past year.
It has passed bipartisan legislation to build roads, tighten gun safety, expand health care for veterans, protect victims of sexual misconduct, overhaul the postal service, help fund the Ukraine war effort while responding to China’s growing aggressiveness.
The recent legislation passed to combat climate change could be the first significant step for saving the planet. Reminder, that Rep. Stefanik voted against that as well.
Gas going down
It was reported this week that gas prices have declined in each of the past nine weeks. Jet fuel prices have also been decreasing. That’s encouraging news even though gas it is still more than a dollar higher than it was a a year ago.
Hopefully, it will continue in that direction, but the more important thing to realize is how complicated the global marketplace is and that no one politician can magically change prices over night.
Heading home
I’m looking forward to heading home after 17 days on the road in some of the hottest weather I’ve ever experienced.
From 105-degree heat in San Antonio to the 100 percent humidity in New Orleans, staying hydrated has been a daily priority. It was 93 on Royal Street in the French Quarter Tuesday. It felt like 106.
We are looking forward to getting back to our little slice of heaven and nice cool evenings.
Not comforting
With my son settling into a new place in the Warehouse District of New Orleans - where the possibility of flood is severe - I was not especially comforting by this piece of art I found outside the convention center downtown.
While my first thought was to tell my son, “You ain’t in Kansas anymore,” it did drive home the point about the possibility of hurricanes.
If presidents could control the economy I suspect times would always be good.
You will be able to read about her attacks on The Post-Star in my new book “The Last American Newspaper.” It will be released next month.