Incensed Congresswoman Scolds Democratic Colleague for Welcoming Her Back From ‘Eight Weeks of Taxpayer-Funded Vacation’
Representative Jasmine Ansari (D-AZ) It drew the ire of the representatives. Virginia Fox (R-NC), welcoming Foxx back from a “taxpayer-funded vacation” Tuesday night.
The Parliament finally begins its session this week after the Speaker mike johnson (R-LA) adjourned the chamber in September before a government shutdown that began Oct. 1 after the Senate failed to agree on legislation to fund the government. This week, eight Senate Democrats crossed the aisle to vote to advance the Republican spending bill. Although the GOP controls the chamber 53-47, 60 votes are needed to clear the procedural hurdle. Eight Democrats gave the bill the 60 votes it needed, while one Republican voted against it. Democrats fail to secure extension of health premium subsidies for 24 million Obamacare recipients, most of whom will see costs coupleOn average.
The Senate bill was considered by the House Rules Committee on Tuesday, where Foxx recognized Ansari for remarks that led to the following exchange:
ANSARI: Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome back from your eight-week taxpayer-funded holiday. It’s nice to see you, I hope…
FOXX: I’ll interrupt you. I’ll interrupt you, please. I’m sick and tired of hearing from you all that we’re having an eight-week vacation.
ANSARI: That’s exactly what happened.
FOXX: I worked every day. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to hear anyone else say that!
ANSARI: I worked every day, and the same thing happened with Speaker Mike Johnson.
FOXX: You’ve been recognized.
ANSARI: I hope you all had fun looking at the letters from health insurance companies to American families who fear their insurance premiums will double or triple because the Capitol has been closed for 53 days. This is unacceptable.
At the beginning of the hearing, Representative. Jim McGovern (D-MA) slammed Republicans and sarcastically asked, “Where have you been?” he asked.
“We are looking for you everywhere, friends,” he said. “We were seriously worried. We actually started handing out missing person posters. Nobody’s seen you in eight weeks. But hey, I’m glad you’re okay. I’m glad you got through your nice two months of paid vacation while the Democrats stay in Washington to try to end this shutdown.”
Watch the video above via C-SPAN.
