Smith Opposes Partisan Social Spending Package

Statement

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives opposing Democrats' $1.7 trillion partisan social spending package, the Build Back Better Act. The bill passed the House 220-213 on a party line vote.

"Our nation is in the midst of a workforce crisis, an inflation crisis, a supply chain crisis, and a border crisis," said Smith. "Rather than govern and confront these challenges head on with policies that get Americans back to work, Democrats have pushed through new spending that makes these problems worse, especially for the individuals who can afford it the least."

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition.

It seems the majority has seen everything Americans are angry about, and they are doubling down instead of addressing those problems.

Americans are angry about proposed million-dollar payments to illegal immigrants. This bill would give them amnesty and pay them even more money.

Americans are angry they can't get the IRS to answer the telephone. This bill spends 45 billion dollars to further weaponize the IRS.

Americans are angry store shelves are empty and prices are rising because of worker shortages. This bill pays people to stay home.

Americans can't get necessities like cars. In my district farm equipment sits unfinished because of chip shortages. 163N and the corporate minimum tax will make it harder for companies to reinvest in needed domestic supply chains.

Our economy is burning. We need to get Americans back to work.

This bill is only going to make life harder and more expensive for the people you claim you are trying to help.

I urge a no vote.

I yield back.

Source