Garfield – Republicans, Democrats and everyone in between want clean water.
So Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. visited a local park Tuesday morning to award a $2.4 million grant to remove lead pipes from the city’s water supply, noting it’s not partisan.
OK
But these days, it’s hard to depoliticize almost anything.
The check displayed said the grant was “provided by President Biden and Congressional Democrats.”
The money involved comes from a massive infrastructure bill passed last year. It was a Democratic initiative, but some Republicans did vote for it. (A handful of Democrats voted against it).
In any case, Pascrell said he knows who voted “no,” but that’s a story for another day.
That day actually came minutes later, when Pascrell pointed out that some House lawmakers who opposed the infrastructure bill still showed up for news conferences highlighting the outcome of the legislation.
This is how some politicians behave. If we digress a bit, I remember a county a few years ago when the free men complained about the board raising their wages. But he took the raise anyway. to find out.
In this case, Pascrell said he understands “opposition” voters, “but damn it, don’t take pictures.”
More generally, the congressman said the government should fund lead-free plumbing and other infrastructure projects.
The project, which will take several months, will provide water relief for approximately 11,000 city residents, or about one-third of the population.
“When the government sets its mind to it, it can do good,” he said.
However, he said one of the problems some people on the far right have had lately is the perception that the government itself is the problem – that it’s not doing its job well. Those House members would be happy to stop the federal government from doing anything, he said.
Pascrell is just starting his 27th year in Congress, but this start is unlike any other. A simple swearing-in ceremony was delayed for four days amid infighting among Republicans over the speaker election.
What will happen when the House reconvenes next week?
“Chapter Two,” Pascrier said.
Interestingly, Pascrell said today’s polarization and sharp divisions among Republicans have developed over the years, suggesting it dates back to 1997, when Pascrell took office under Speaker Newt Kinley Odd (Newt Gingrich).
While many Democrats might love to do that, Pascrell said you can’t blame Donald Trump for all of today’s problems.
As for the current president, Pascalier was asked about classified documents found at Joe Biden’s home and private office.
Pascrell said he opposed the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the matter, which he seemed to see as an easy mistake by Biden.
Or as Pascrell typically bluntly puts it, “It might be stupid, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
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