Liz Cheney on Budget & Economy

Fighting Smart: focus on getting results to roll back feds

A: When I say fight smart, what I really am focused on is getting results. But you have to know how to do it. You have to know how you can actually cut these agencies, how you can actually limit the regulation, how you can actually roll the federal government back.

Q: There is not a whole lot of daylight between yourself and Senator Enzi in terms of policy.

A: Well, yes, except Senator Enzi's been there for 18 years. When you've been there for 18 years, you have to deal with the results, what you've been able to deliver for the people of Wyoming. And if I thought that Senator Enzi, whatever his tactics, would be able to effectively prevent President Obama from taking the nation down this path to European social democracy--I wouldn't need to be in this race. He hasn't, and there's no sense, frankly, that he will. I think we've got to have a new generation.

Voted YES on $900 billion COVID relief package.

NPR summary of HR133:

• $600 checks for every adult and child earning up to $75,000, and smaller checks if earning up to $99,000.
• Unemployment: extend enhanced benefits for jobless workers, $300 per week through March.
• Rental assistance: $25 billion to help pay rent; extends eviction moratorium until Jan. 31.
• SNAP assistance: $13 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• PPP loans: $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans, expanding eligibility to include nonprofits, news/TV/radio media, broadband access, and movie theaters & cultural institutions
• Child care centers: $10 billion to help providers safely reopen.
• $68 billion to distribute COVID-19 vaccines and tests at no cost.
• $45 billion in transportation-related assistance, including airlines and Amtrak.
• $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening
• $13 billion for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for growers and livestock producers.

Argument in opposition: Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV-2) said after voting against H.R. 133: "Congress voted to spend another $2.3 trillion [$900 billion for COVID relief], which will grow our national debt to about $29 trillion. The federal government will again have to borrow money from nations like China. This massive debt is being passed on to our children and grandchildren. With multiple vaccines on the way thanks to President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, we do not need to pile on so much additional debt. Now is the time to safely reopen our schools and our economy. HR133 was another 5593-page bill put together behind closed doors and released moments prior to the vote."

Legislative outcome: Passed House 327-85-18, Roll #250, on Dec. 21. 2020; Passed Senate 92-6-2, Roll #289, on Dec. 21; signed by President Trump on Dec 27 [after asking for an increase from $600 to $2,000 per person, which was introduced as a separate vote].