Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) blasted Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) on Monday 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.
“Oh boy. I hate to talk politics when there’s good news to celebrate but this is too brazen to ignore,” Walz wrote in a post on X/Twitter. “Mr. Stauber voted against every screw, steel beam, and concrete pier in this bridge. Luckily @POTUS worked with Stauber’s colleagues and got it done without him. Thanks, Joe!”
Stauber voted against the $1 trillion infrastructure package in 2021 that is providing the funds to replace a bridge connecting Duluth, Minnesota to Superior, Wisconsin.
But in a press release Monday, Stauber claims he “fought” for funds.
“By connecting Duluth, Minnesota to Superior Wisconsin, the Blatnik Bridge has helped drive our Twin Ports economy for the past six decades,” he wrote. “The Blatnik Bridge is aging, and its restoration is essential to ensuring continued economic success, which is why I have long fought for these funds. Securing the money to help replace this bridge has been a top priority for both states, and I am proud to have worked with my Minnesota and Wisconsin Congressional colleagues to secure this critical investment. I look forward to seeing this project benefit countless industries, employers, health care patients, commuters, and tourists for years to come.”
Stauber joins a growing list House Republicans who voted against the bipartisan infrastructure package and are now promoting components of the measure, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), NBC reports.
