Senator Scott Brown and Congressman Ron Paul are among the Republican Party's most vocal opponents of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, but have worked actively behind the scenes to secure stimulus funding for projects in their own states. A new report by the Center for Public Integrity provides documented evidence that the two lawmakers privately view stimulus funding as a tool for encouraging economic growth and development. They aren't alone.
According the report, Stimulating Hypocrisy: Scores of Recovery Act Opponents Sought Money Out of Public View, Tea Party favorite Scott Brown wrote a letter of support in favor of using stimulus funds to expand broadband internet access in Massachusetts. The project supported by Brown eventually received $45.4 million in federal stimulus money. In the letter, Brown said that:
- "Broadband is essential to the economy well being and recovery of Western Massachusetts, as many of our citizens telecommute and have home-based businesses."
- "For any small business in the region, staying connected is critical to remaining competitive in the increasingly global economy."
- "Broadband coverage is crucial in brining together educators and students in order to help prepare our next generation of entrepreneurs and job creators."
Brown also wrote a letter in support of the City of Boston's Sustainable Broadband Adoption application for stimulus funds. In it, he stated that the proposed program would result in "500 part-time teaching/assistant jobs, in addition to 9 managerial jobs and employment for many of the 800 out-of-work adults who receive training."
Brown's message that government stimulus spending can create jobs and support economic growth is a far cry from the libertarian ideals he espoused on the campaign trail. Shortly after being elected, Brown claimed that the Recovery Act had not created a single job.
Similarly, Ron Paul, who once wrote a letter to CNN calling the stimulus a waste of money, signed onto a request asking Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to "give full consideration" to a $81.3 million stimulus request for a railroad improvement project in the Houston area. According to Paul:
- "The project proposed by the GCFRD application will facilitate freight movement in the Houston region, which will enhance economic development, safety, livability and sustainability benefits."
Paul's request also stated that the project would helping to eliminate railway congestion issues that cost Houston area shippers $429 million a year.
Brown and Paul were not theonly GOP leaders to seek out stimulus funds behind closed doors. The report also names Senator John McCain and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as guilty parties.
What do you think? Are GOP lawmakers acting hypocritically when it comes to stimulus spending?
