It is a maxim to remember. The GOP will vote against the needs of their constituents if it means that it will also help Joe Biden look effective. Matt Gaetz and other Florida politicians (All Republicans) voted against a bill that included FEMA aid, one that was part of a continuing resolution to keep the government open and provide relief to Ukraine.
From The Hill:
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) says he wants Congress to approve additional funds to help his state recover from Hurricane Ian after voting against a government funding measure last week that freed up $18.8 billion in federal disaster aid. Gaetz joined 15 other Florida lawmakers in voting against the continuing resolution, which allows the government to remain funded at the current spending levels through mid-December and includes a new round of funding for Ukraine, as well as for disaster aid.
And Gaetz tweeted:
Dear Congress:
On behalf of my fellow Florida Man in grave need of assistance….
Just send us like half of what you sent Ukraine.
Signed,
Your Fellow Americans
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 2, 2022
At least this particular bill sent $12 billion to Ukraine and freed up $18.8 in FEMA aid for Florida.
Yes, the pro-Russian bent to that statement is real, as you noticed. It is odd. When the Russians initially and outrageously invaded Ukraine, the MAGAs spoke out in outrage against it. Even Trump said at the time that Putin had a brilliant plan to negotiate but should never have gone in. Now, MAGAs are saying that the U.S. government blew up the Nord Stream pipeline, while most experts believe it was a Russian military operation to freeze Europe through the winter. Regardless, not only the MAGAs pro-Russian in their positions, but they also don’t want Biden to get any sort of “win” by supporting Ukraine to victory.
Back to national politics. It would seem to be – again – like the Florida Republicans’ vote is more about denying Biden a “win” by avoiding a government shutdown, as well as seen as effective in the Florida operations to get communities back on their feet.
Now, Gaetz and other Republicans get to act as though the money has been denied to Florida. As said above, they will let their constituents suffer if it gives them an opportunity to make Biden the bad guy, seemingly to blame.
@JasonMiciak believes a day without learning is a day not lived. He is a political writer, features writer, author, and attorney. He is a Canadian-born dual citizen who spent his teen and college years in the Pacific Northwest and has since lived in seven states. He now enjoys life as a single dad of a young girl, writing from the beaches of the Gulf Coast. He loves crafting his flower pots, cooking, and currently studies philosophy of science, religion, and non-math principles behind quantum mechanics and cosmology. Please feel free to contact for speaking engagements or any concerns.