DCCC criticizes House GOP for taking credit on stimulus programs

Democratic strategists on Monday carped that a handful of Republicans were beginning to take credit for projects in their districts funded at least in part by stimulus cash.

As part of the group's latest offensive -- unveiled in a blog post Monday and mailed as a release to 24 GOP lawmakers' districts shortly after -- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) charged House Republicans were "hypocrites" for only supporting the recovery act when its provisions benefited their districts directly.

“As economists point out the true cost of doing nothing, it’s no wonder that more and more House Republicans are scrambling to take credit for economic benefits they opposed,” said Ryan Rudominer, DCCC spokesman.  “Times are tough.  Hardworking, middle class families need solutions, not more hypocrisy from the Republican Party of No.”

In their blog post, the DCCC criticized 67 Republicans in particular for boasting of stimulus-related projects they initially voted against. On that list is House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (Va.), who the DCCC accused of lobbying for high-speed rail money for his district despite ultimately voting against the stimulis package.

Democratic strategists cited instances in which Republicans have asked the White House to grant them additional stimulus cash, either through a second round of grants or by a relaxation of rules on previously authorized stimulus programs. Atop the DCCC's sheet is National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (Tx.), who the group criticized for asking for a sizable sum of NASA money to preserve operations at a local base.

Taken together, the DCCC suggested that House Republicans were trying to capitalize on Democrats' work and progress during an important election year.

NRCC leaders, however, vehemently disagreed.

"If this is the extent of the Democrats' stimulus offensive, then they are going to find the next twelve months to be painfully long," said Ken Spain, the NRCC's spokesman. "We would love nothing more than to debate the merits of the so-called 'stimulus' bill, but maybe Democrats can start off by answering the fundamental question they have been dodging for months: Where are the jobs?"

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