Biden and Cantor spar over stimulus
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:40 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:
White House, Congress, Republicans
From NBC's James Rankin and Alex Beinstein
Later today, Vice President Biden will be promoting the economic stimulus in House Minority Whip Eric Cantor's congressional district in Richmond, VA.
Per the Washington Post, he's expected to take direct aim at the stimulus' critics. "I ask those critics... Would they not help the states prevent lay off thousands of teachers, firefighters, cops? Would they not give a tax cut to 95% of the American people? Would they sit back and do nothing as our economy collapsed?"
Video: Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter discusses President Barack Obama’s response to Republicans who continually criticize his stimulus plan.
But in a conference call with reporters earlier this afternoon, Cantor sounded off on Biden’s visit to his congressional district, painting a very different picture of the stimulus package.
“Spending money does not necessarily equal success for the stimulus program. It is common sense to measure success for the stimulus bill on the immediate impact it has on the economy, not in how many Web site they’ve created or signs erected claiming credit,” he said.
Cantor did offer support for some projects within the Recovery Act, including a planned high-speed rail corridor that would pass through his district on its way to Washington. But he insisted that worthy projects could stand on their own.
Cantor is the second high-profile Republican in as many weeks to enjoy a visit from the vice president. Last week, Biden visited Cincinnati, right next door to House Minority Leader
John Boehner’s district.