Democrat Clashes With GOP Lawmaker Over ‘Taxpayer-Funded Vacation’ During Shutdown
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) struck a nerve with Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) when she made a pointed remark about Republicans’ role in the long-running government shutdown during a meeting of the House Rules Committee Tuesday.
“Welcome back from your eight weeks of taxpayer-funded vacation. It’s good to see you,” Ansari said to Foxx right before being cut off by the congresswoman.
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“I’m going to interrupt you,” Foxx said. “I am sick and tired of hearing you all say we had an eight-week vacation.”
Ansari cut in and replied, “That’s exactly what happened.”
Tension escalated as Foxx went on to defend her position.
“I worked every day,” she said. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to hear another soul say that.”
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While Foxx was speaking, Ansari told her that she also “worked every single day.”
“I hope that you all enjoyed yourselves while American families looked at their letters from their health insurance companies, terrified that their insurance premiums were going to double or triple while the House was out of session for 53 days. That is unacceptable, Madame Chair,” she continued.
On Sunday, eight Democratic senators said they would support a spending bill that would reopen the government.
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The bill doesn’t include core provisions, such as extending subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans, that many in the Democratic Party had been fighting for. The subsidies, which are scheduled to end this year, were at the center of Democrats’ arguments for not supporting a Republican bill. The decision was viewed as a betrayal by critics and those in the Democratic camp.
The bill passed the Senate Monday night. The House is expected to vote on it sometime Wednesday evening.
