Listen to the call here: http://s3.amazonaws.com/apache.3cdn.net/02e73079e4def78287_mlbrgarqg.mp3
Washington- In a conference call this afternoon with reporters, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine lambasted Congressional Republicans, including Delaware’s Mike Castle, for attempting to block the stimulus in Washington and then returning to their districts to applaud jobs it created.
In addition to marking the one-year anniversary of the stimulus, Kaine said, the date marks another important anniversary- the first anniversary of the Republican party’s “era of obstruction,” which began with near-unanimous opposition of the recovery act.
Kaine specifically spotlighted Delaware’s Mike Castle, saying “Delaware Congressman Mike Castle praised the recovery act funding, he even went so far as to call it ‘imperative’ for a high speed rail project, despite his vocal opposition when he had the opportunity to vote for it”
Kaine continued: “The fact is, every time another Republican commits an act of hypocrisy – applies for a grant saying it will ’create jobs’ in their districts or takes credit for a Recovery Act funded project – they prove what we’ve said all along: the Recovery Act has worked and their opposition was about politics – pure and simple.”
In conjunction with the call, the DNC rolled out their “Hypocrisy Hall of Fame,” highlighting Republicans in Congress who voted one way and told their constituents something else.
From the DNC’s “Hypocrisy Hall of Fame” listing:
Rep. Mike Castle (DE-AL) “Voted Against The Stimulus, But Spoke Out Recently In Favor Of New Funding For High-Speed Rail.” “Castle voted against the stimulus, but spoke out recently in favor of new funding for high-speed rail – which has been funded through the Recovery Act.” . [In the crosshairs, Politico, 2/1/10]
Rep. Castle Touted Recovery Act Projects For Delaware Even Though He Voted Against It. “In the past two weeks, Castle has blasted multiple press releases publicizing stimulus funds awarded to his state. In his most recent release, he not only calls the money “imperative,” but in “announcing” the funds, he tacitly claims credit for securing them: Washington | January 7, 2010 – Delaware Congressman Mike Castle announced today that $5,230,610 has been awarded to the State to assist families and individuals in need. … ‘As we face the coldest season of the year, it is imperative we provide those programs serving Delaware’s most disadvantaged families and individuals with the resources necessary to house, feed, and protect those in desperate need,’ said Rep. Castle. ‘These grants, totaling more than $5 million, will help the invaluable organizations and programs which are working to help the homeless, hungry, and those facing economic hardship throughout the State.” Nowhere on the release is the source of they funds or the word “stimulus” mentioned. But the stimulus Castle opposed is the source of the “imperative” funds he now champions: – The Castle release announces $4,735,313 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program. According to the HUD website, the Continuum of Care initiative is enabled through $1.5 billion in money authorized by the stimulus. – The Castle release announces $495,297 to Delaware’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to Grants.gov, the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program is enabled by $100 million in funding through the stimulus. [ThinkProgress, 1/7/10]
