Democrats Reject Hinson Amendment to Redirect Funding from Speaker Pelosi's Pet Subway Project to Mental Health Resources for Kids

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson introduced an amendment that would redirect the $140 million carveout included in the Democrats' spending bill for Speaker Pelosi’s pet subway project in California to mental health programs for students who are suffering because of this pandemic lockdown. Every single Democrat voted against Congresswoman Hinson's amendment.

Watch the Full Remarks.

"Americans are crying out for targeted relief. Instead, this bill sends money straight to Speaker Pelosi’s pet project in California – the Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Phase 2.

"How insulting to the frontline workers who still have not received a COVID-19 vaccine and to the mom trying to pay the rent while her small business is in danger? And what about the ER doctors and nurses treating kids rushed in for a mental health crisis?

"This is Washington pork spending of the worst kind -- the kind the Speaker puts in for herself. My amendment would take away the Speaker's $140 million dollar subway carve out and instead redirect that money to a truly essential cause -- supporting mental health programs for students. 

"We have seen increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges among our children who have been trapped behind screens for almost a year now.
 
"If we adopt the motion to recommit, we will instruct the Budget Committee to consider my amendment, which would put students over subways and reject this $140 million dollar Speaker set-aside in favor of getting kids the help they need now -- before it's too late."

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