Kansas Reps. Roger Marshall and Ron Estes showed their true colors in two decisive votes Monday.
First, they voted against boosting pandemic relief checks from $600 to $2,000. The bonuses would benefit an estimated 160 million Americans — a sizable majority of working America.
Second, they voted against additional funding for the U.S. military.
Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas’ only Democrat in Congress, voted for both measures.
Rep. Steve Watkins remains missing in action ever since his Nov. 3 defeat.
THE MILITARY spending vote was to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, which for 60 years has been renewed without a hitch. This year’s $740 billion measure authorizes 3% pay raises for U.S. troops, includes new benefits for veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, and boosts the pay for those who sign up for hazardous duty.
The bill also stalls the president’s plan to draw down troops in Germany, South Korea and Afghanistan; restricts federal spending on Trump’s border wall; requires federal troops to identify themselves when positioned at U.S. rallies and demonstrations, and directs the Pentagon to begin the process of renaming 10 military bases named after Confederate generals.
President Trump vetoed the military policy bill on Dec. 23 primarily for two really bad reasons:
1. He wants those who promoted slavery to be recognized as heroes.
2. He wants the bill to include a measure that punishes social media companies by weakening the 1996 Communications Decency Act.
The latter, of course, has nothing to do with national security. Instead, the president is using the bill as a way to get back at Facebook and YouTube for fact-checking people’s posts, including those of the president, which have been flagged for inaccuracies and falsehoods.
The military bill passed, 322-87, with 109 Republicans joining 212 Democrats. A two-thirds majority was required to overturn the president’s veto. The measure now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate where, if a sufficient majority is attained, will officially override Trump’s veto, a first for his administration.
THE CASH Act vote passed 275-134, with 44 Republicans signing on.
A stand-alone bill, the measure would increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 to those who earn up to $75,000. On Sunday, President Trump referred to the $600 stipend as “measly,” and demanded it be raised to $2,000, which Democrats have lobbied for all along.
Republicans against not only this measure but also any kind of direct stimulus, have maintained a healthier economy and public are just around the corner. Unfortunately, no facts exist to support such optimism.
