Thread by @RepMeijer

Tonight we voted on the American Rescue Plan. Briefly put, this was an institutional abomination. Not only is this bill dead on arrival in the Senate bc the Senate parliamentarian judged it out of order via the Byrd Rule (which governs the Budget Reconciliation process)... (1/6)

but it’s also inadequate in cash relief. So we did a 2am vote on a bill the Senate can’t accept. And instead of bipartisan COVID relief, this was a Dem grab bag of gifts to special interests. Want a Silicon Valley subway? A new bridge in upstate New York? This bill has it! (2/6)

But that’s not even the worst part. The direct cash relief under the American Rescue Plan is a paltry $1400 check. I took Sen. Collins’ bipartisan COVID relief plan and boosted cash relief by $1K to $2400 *and still* shaved $1 Trillion from the end result! (3/6)

My plan, ‘Direct Dollars Over Government Excess’ (or $DOGE Plan) almost doubles $$$ to Americans who need it most with $2400 checks (not Pelosi’s $1400) AND at half the cost! My question to @SpeakerPelosi: why are we spending 2x more and giving people way less?!? (4/6)

The $DOGE plan has been scored by the Center for a Responsible Federal Budget. $DOGE includes all urgent essentials: vaccines, testing, PPE, school reopening, unemployment insurance, etc. It gives those who need it $2400 not $1400. And *still* saves $1 trillion! (5/6)

@SpeakerPelosi: Consider $DOGE. Give people $2400 not $1400. Focus relief where it’s needed, not on random miscellany.

I voted no on the American Rescue Plan & hope when the Senate kicks this back that my Democratic colleagues will refocus & direct money where it matters. (6/6)