¶ Overview
- Stauber voted against the bipartisan infrastructure package that helped fund roads, bridges, and airports in his district. He labeled the funding as a “multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend spree,” but when airports, highways, and bridges in his district were benefiting from that funding, he claimed to his constituents that he was “proud” to secure that funding.
¶ Stauber Repeatedly Took Credit For Infrastructure Funding He Voted Against
¶ 2021: Stauber Voted Against The bipartisan Infrastructure Package That Funded Roads, Bridges, And Airports In his district
2021: Stauber Voted Against The Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, Which Provided $550 Billion In New Infrastructure Funding, Including For Surface Transportation, Broadband, Water And Energy Infrastructure. In November 2021, Stauber voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide approximately $550 billion in new infrastructure spending, including for surface transportation, broadband, water and energy infrastructure.” The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 228-206, thus the bill was sent to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 369, 11/5/21; Congressional Quarterly, 11/5/21; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2137; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3684]
- Minnesota Was Expected To Receive $6.8 Billion From The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. According to MinnPost, “Minnesota is expected to receive an estimated $6.8 billion from the infrastructure bill, paying for projects to repair and build roads and bridges, improve water infrastructure and build things like high-speed internet lines and electric vehicle charging stations.” [MinnPost, 3/31/22]
¶ Stauber On The Bipartisan Infrastructure Package: “Make No Mistake; A Vote For This ‘Infrastructure’ Package Is A Vote For The Reckless Multi-Trillion-Dollar Tax-And-Spend Spree”
After Voting Against The Infrastructure Bill, Stauber Claimed He Would Not Be “Complicit In Paving A Destructive And Irreversible Path Towards Socialism.” According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, “On Nov. 5, the House passed the infrastructure bill in a 228-206 vote largely along party lines (just six Democrats voted against it and 13 Republicans voted for it). That night, Stauber announced his ‘no’ vote in a news release because it was ‘part of the Democrats’ multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend package’ that ‘is not about real infrastructure,’ referring to a separate social spending and climate bill coined the ‘Build Back Better Act’ that, in its most recent form, would cost $1.75 trillion. It still remains unable to pass the Senate. ‘I will not be complicit in paving a destructive and irreversible path towards socialism. … Make no mistake; a vote for this ‘infrastructure’ package is a vote for the reckless multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend spree. That’s why I voted NO,’ Stauber said in the Nov. 5 release.” [Twin Cities Pioneer Press, 1/10/22]
¶ 2022: Stauber Touted Airport Funding Grants He Voted Against
2022: Stauber Was “Happy To Announce” 29 Airports In His District Would Receive Government Funding From The Federal Aviation Administration, But Stauber Had Voted Against The Infrastructure Bill That Funded The Grants. According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, “U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber announced nearly $9.4 million in federal grants to airports throughout northeastern Minnesota, even though he voted against the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that funded the grants. In a news release last month, the Republican congressman from Hermantown said he was ‘happy to announce’ 29 airports across the 8th Congressional District would receive grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. Most received amounts between $110,000 and $160,000, but five received at least $1 million each. ‘As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I believe strongly in the importance of investing in traditional forms of infrastructure, such as airports,’ Stauber said. The release did not include the source of the funding.” [Twin Cities Pioneer Press, 1/10/22]
- 2021: Stauber Voted Against Granting $25 Billion For Airports And About $17 Billion For Ports And Waterways, Including For Land Port Modernizations And Water Port Upgrades, Including Resilience And Electrification Projects. In November 2021, Stauber voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide $25 billion for airports and approximately $17 billion for ports and waterways, including $3.4 billion to modernize land ports of entry and $2.25 billion for water port upgrades, including resilience and electrification projects.” The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 228-206, thus the bill was sent to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 369, 11/5/21; Congressional Quarterly, 11/5/21; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2137; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3684]
¶ 2024: Stauber Touted Bridge Funding Grants That He Voted Against
2024: Stauber Touted Funding For The Blatnik Bridge And Said He Was “Proud” To Work With His Colleagues To Secure This Critical Investment, Despite Voting Against The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law That Funded It. According to MS Now, “Stauber issued a press release roughly 24 hours ago, touting a billion-dollar investment to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which connects Minnesota and Wisconsin. The statement included this quote from the GOP congressman: ‘The Blatnik Bridge is aging, and its restoration is essential to ensuring continued economic success, which is why I have long fought for these funds. Securing the money to help replace this bridge has been a top priority for both states, and I am proud to have worked with my Minnesota and Wisconsin Congressional colleagues to secure this critical investment. I look forward to seeing this project benefit countless industries, employers, health care patients, commuters, and tourists for years to come.’ On social media, Stauber added that he was ‘proud to announce’ the investment, which he described as ‘a HUGE win’ for his district. There was, however, one key detail he neglected to mention: The investment in the Blatnik Bridge came by way of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that President Joe Biden signed into law — and which Stauber voted against.” [MS Now, 1/23/24]
- Stauber Claimed The Funding For The Blatnik Bridge Was A “HUGE Win” For Minnesota, And He Was “Proud To Advocate” For The Funding.
[Twitter, @RepPeteStauber, 1/22/24]
- 2021: Stauber Voted Against Providing $110 Billion For Roads, Bridges, And Major Transportation Projects, Which Would Include Funding For Highway Infrastructure, Bridge Construction And Repairs, Rail Systems, Including Amtrak, And Transit, Including For Zero- And Low Emission Transit Buses And Accessibility Improvements. In November 2021, Stauber voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide $110 billion for roads, bridges and major surface transportation projects, including $47.3 for highway infrastructure and $40 billion for bridge construction and repair; $66 billion for rail, including $58 billion for Amtrak; and $39 billion for transit, including $5.3 billion for zero- and low-emission transit buses and $2 billion for accessibility improvements.” The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 228-206, thus the bill was sent to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 369, 11/5/21; Congressional Quarterly, 11/5/21; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2137; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3684]
¶ 2023: Letter To the Editor Criticized Stauber for Touting Highway Funding He Voted Against
Letter To The Editor Criticized Stauber For Saying In Constituent Mail That He Was Proud To Help Secure Funding For Highway 8 Reconstruction When He Voted Against The Infrastructure Bill That Freed Up Funding For It. According to an opinion in the Grand Rapids Herald Review, “Political officials are no strangers to hypocrisy. Regardless of party affiliation, taking credit for funding that they did not vote for is manipulating the public. For Representative Pete Stauber, hypocrisy seems to be all he knows. In his recent mailing, Stauber said he was, ‘proud to help secure this funding,’ for legislation which benefits infrastructure projects like the Highway 8 reconstruction project. This is simply not true. The funding came from Biden’s Infrastructure Bill which passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The infrastructure spending was supported by a number of House Republican leaders but a notable opponent to the critical funding was and still is Representative Stauber. The infrastructure package freed over $3 million for Highway 8 improvements and provides more funding for a host of urgent projects across the district like road and bridge repairs.” [Britta Arendt, Opinion – Grand Rapids Herald Review, 4/22/23]
- 2021: Stauber Voted Against Providing $110 Billion For Roads, Bridges, And Major Transportation Projects, Which Would Include Funding For Highway Infrastructure, Bridge Construction And Repairs, Rail Systems, Including Amtrak, And Transit, Including For Zero- And Low Emission Transit Buses And Accessibility Improvements. In November 2021, Stauber voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “provide $110 billion for roads, bridges and major surface transportation projects, including $47.3 for highway infrastructure and $40 billion for bridge construction and repair; $66 billion for rail, including $58 billion for Amtrak; and $39 billion for transit, including $5.3 billion for zero- and low-emission transit buses and $2 billion for accessibility improvements.” The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 228-206, thus the bill was sent to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 369, 11/5/21; Congressional Quarterly, 11/5/21; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2137; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3684]