Moran, Marshall Vote Against Vote-A-Rama $1.9T Stimulus Bill

By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

March 6, 2021

TOPEKA — U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall joined Republican colleagues Saturday voting against the $1.9 trillion stimulus package crafted during an all-night session and passed by a thin majority.

The measure, referred to as the American Rescue Plan, was panned by Moran and Marshall as an extravagant piece of legislation that veered far from the human and financial despair of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure approved 50-49 at conclusion of an amendment-laden vote-a-rama must be endorsed by the U.S. House before forwarded to President Joe Biden.

Moran was able to get an amendment into the bill delaying for six months establishment of new rules protecting veterans enrolled at financially predatory for-profit schools or colleges, but he nevertheless criticized the package because Democrats chose to “ram through a costly bill that has little to do with COVID-19.” A separate Moran amendment earmarking $1 billion more in federal funding for out-of-network medical care to veterans was defeated.

The package included direct payments to Americans, supplemental jobless benefits of $300 a week, funding for coronavirus vaccine distribution and assistance to businesses, schools, cities and states. It also featured expansion of eligibility for the Affordable Care Act, tax credits for low-income Americans with children, and broader access to food stamps and rental assistance.

“Democrats voted to give COVID checks to illegal immigrants and felons,” said Marshall, who previously compared the legislation to a pile of sizzling bacon and a box of bizarre-flavored donuts.

“The economy is recovering,” Marshall said. “The virus is on the run. I really think we should take a breath here and see where we are in a month or two.”

Despite advocacy by Marshall, the legislation didn’t include an amendment restricting participation of transgender girls or women in sporting events designated for girls or women at educational institutions receiving federal funding.

Marshall, who is a physician, said individuals should be eligible to compete in sports programs based on gender designation at birth. He said transgender females didn’t deserve to compete against other females because of physical advantages likely to destroy fair competition.

Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, was critical of Marshall and others for sponsoring an amendment designed to discriminate against transgender students.

“For the love of God,” she said, “can’t we just have a little bit of heart and compassion in this world for someone who doesn’t look or live exactly like you?”