Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (Fla.) has been bragging about bringing federal funding to her district with the omnibus bill to fund the government for 2023, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
But, there’s one MAJOR problem, she did not support any of the three pieces of legislation.
In an interview with CBS Miami on Sunday, host Jim DeFede asked Salazar about taking credit for the bills despite voting against them.
“Last month you were at FIU and you presented a check for $650,000 to help small businesses at FIU. But you voted against the bill that gave the money that you then signed a check for and handed and had a photo op. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Right? You voted against that bill,” DeFede said.
“Right now, you have to give me more details. But I do know that every time I have an opportunity to bring money to my constituents, I do so. I just did $400,000,” Salazar replied.
“You voted against, you voted against the CHIPS and Science Act, right?” he pressed.
“Listen, right now I need to I need to ask my staff. But what about when you have $40 million I have brought to this community? Aren’t you proud of me? Aren’t you proud of the $40 million?” Salazar responded. “Aren’t you proud that I robbed the Dignity Act? Let’s talk about the Americas Act?”
“Wait, wait, wait, you say. Let me show, one second,” DeFede said. “The money that you talk about. The $40 million that you bring back to the district. Sometimes that money comes from bills that you voted against. You voted against the CHIPS Act. And yet you praised the fact that the South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub is going to be started in Miami. Right.”
He continued: “You voted against the infrastructure bill, and you talk about all the money that comes back to the airport. So at the same time that you’re taking credit for the money that you bring back to the district in Washington, you’re voting against these projects on party-line votes.”
“Listen, that was I think, last cycle, I cannot really remember right now. But just look, let’s look at the America Act, which is what,” Salazar said.
“You don’t want to explain why you voted against this?” DeFede asked.
“I really cannot, I mean right now and I’m not trying to be a politician, there is so many bills that I’ve introduced,” Salazar responded.
“No, these are bills that you voted against,” DeFede noted.
“That I understand and but, it’s okay. Sometimes I vote and sometimes I don’t. But let’s look at the positive. Let’s look at the $40 million that I brought,” Salazar replied.
Salazar is the latest addition to a growing list of House Republicans who voted against major pieces of legislations and are now promoting components of the bills they oppose.
Just last week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) slammed Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) after the congressman celebrated $1 billion in funding going towards repairing a bridge in the state–after voting against the bill that is funding the project.
