Last week, President Joe Biden called out several Kentucky legislators in a speech at the Volvo Group Powertrain Operations Facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, over their vote and comments against the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021.
Biden was in Maryland to comment on the economy and the September jobs report. As part of his speech, he called out legislators who voted and made disparaging comments against the infrastructure bill and then wrote letters for grants for funding.
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, sets out to improve America’s roads, improve mass transit, and expand internet access.
Sen. Mitch McConnell was the only U.S. legislator from Kentucky to vote in favor of the infrastructure bill.
Biden also called out Kentucky 6th District Congressman Andy Barr over his comments that the bill was a ‘socialist agenda.’
“Kentucky Representative Andy Barr: The biggest ‘socialist agenda,’” Biden said. “Three different projects he wants, citing the importance of the safety and growth of his district.”
In April 2021, Barr said taxpayers would face a massive tax hike to foot the bill for reckless spending.
“Biden’s ‘infrastructure’ bill is more about expanding Medicaid and providing a slush fund to advance the GND than it is about repairing roads, bridges, and airports,” Barr said via Twitter in April of 2021.
After calling out Barr, Biden then name-dropped Sen. Rand Paul for calling it “socialism.”
“Rand Paul. I can go down the list. Look it up,” Biden said. “‘Socialism.’ I didn’t know there were that many socialist Republicans. Think about it, I’m serious. Let’s get serious about taking care of ordinary people — regular people like I grew up.”
Paul issued a statement at the time with several other senators that acknowledged the need for infrastructure but not wanting to grow the national debt.
“But with our national debt growing out of control and Democrats dedicated to passing a 100% partisan blowout spending package totaling $3.5 trillion, we cannot support any additional deficit spending on Joe Biden’s, Nancy Pelosi’s, Chuck Schumer’s and Bernie Sanders’ liberal wish list,” the joint statement said.
But, since the bill has passed, Paul has submitted 10 letters for funding from the bill for Kentucky, according to media reports, even though he voted against the bill.
“Dr. Paul has consistently advocated for ways to pay for and prioritize our nation’s infrastructure projects like continually introducing his Penny Plan for Infrastructure, advocating for cuts in foreign spending, uncovering millions in government waste, and redirecting unspent COVID-19 funds to disaster areas,” said a Paul spokesperson in a statement. ”With respect to competitive federal funds, however, once funding has been appropriated, Dr. Paul advocates for Kentucky to receive an appropriate return on its taxpayers’ contributions by advocating for Kentucky projects and keeping his commitment to always put our Commonwealth first.”
In one letter, Paul asks for funding from the infrastructure bill for the Brent Spence Project.
“By adding much-needed capacity for vehicular travel and freight volumes transiting the river, the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project will greatly improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of interstate passenger and freight travel volumes throughout the region,” the letter reads.
The bill could potentially fund a new Brent Spence Companion Bridge with no tolls after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear submitted a joint application for funding for the project in early August. Kentucky expects roughly $2 billion from the bill for the project. Experts think the bridge will cost approximately $2.8 billion.
During the 2022 legislative session, Kentucky put $250 million in matching funds for three major infrastructure projects, including I-69 and the Mountain Parkway Project. Kentucky also put forward $1.3 billion from the House’s biennial transportation budget for the Brent Spence.
Kentucky’s 1st District Congressman James Comer also voted against the bill and wrote a letter asking for funds. Northern Kentucky’s Congressman Rep. Thomas Massie voted against the bill but has not requested funding.
“As a member of the Transportation Committee, I will always advocate for critical infrastructure investments in our district,” Massie said. “I did not vote for Biden’s mislabeled Infrastructure Bill because it wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on high-speed internet for prison inmates, electric car charging stations, and economically crippling ‘Green New Deal’ initiatives.”