Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said he would leave the state to break the quorum and prevent Democrats from passing their spending package.
How we got here: Graham’s comments come after around 50 House lawmakers in Texas fled the state to block the passage of a GOP-backed election bill that they said would make voting in the state harder. Republicans argued that it would ensure election integrity and safety.
What he said: Graham made the remarks while discussing Democrats’ plan to add a spending package to President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan during an appearance on Fox News‘ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
He said that he would use the tactics of leaving the state to prevent the vote from moving forward and urged his GOP colleagues to do the same.
“Hell yeah, I would leave. I would use everything lawfully in my toolbox to prevent rampant inflation,” the Senator told host Maria Bartiromo. “To my Republican colleagues, we may learn something from our Democratic friends in Texas when it comes to avoiding a $3.5 trillion tax and spend package: Leave town.”
Graham said that he supports the infrastructire plan but not the reconciliation package, which he described as “a liberal wish list,” with “all kinds of new social programs unrelated to infrastructure.” He argued that only a “massive tax increase” could pay for the spending package.
The spending package: Graham was referring to a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package that Democrats plan to attach to the roughly $950 billion infrastructure legislation. Senate Majrotiy Leader Chuck Schumer announced it last week, saying the proposal would include “robust expansion of Medicare” and benefits like vision, hearing dental coverage, as well as funding for clean energy.
“We are very proud of this plan. We know we have a long road to go. We’re going to get this done for the sake of making average Americans’ lives a whole lot better,” he said at the time. “If we pass this, this is the most profound change to help American families in generations.”
What’s more, Democrats can pass the bill with a simple majority, or in other words, without a single Republican vote.
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