Why Mitch McConnell's Recent Comments About The Stimulus Package Are Turning Heads

Over the last few weeks, Republican lawmakers have been put in the position of having to talk up the benefits that come with President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan — even though none of the GOP's elected lawmakers voted for it. The latest conservative to have to stand up in front of his constituents to talk about the aid package was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who surprisingly, gave credit where credit was due. While in his home state of Kentucky, the senator told listeners that the state was "going to get a lot more money." He conceded that he didn't vote for the plan, but that the voters would benefit from it. "Cities and counties in Kentucky will get close to $700 or 800 million. If you add up the total amount that will come into our state — $4 billion ... So my advice to members of the legislature and others — local officials — is to spend it wisely, because hopefully this windfall doesn't come along again," he said, via HuffPost.

McConnell even said he didn't believe the money was needed, because vaccines are available and the economy is on track for a recovery. He also took the time to support the country's vaccination campaign, saying, "America is in the red zone of the fight against COVID-19, but we're not yet in the end zone. Everyone who is able should get vaccinated. We need to finish the job," via Twitter.

Mitch McConnell's grudging support for the COVID-19 aid package drew fire from the internet, particularly for his sentiment that the money was not needed. "People in systemic poverty and struggling need immediate monthly stimulus checks. As well as unemployment for those already unemployed before covid. Delta Variant 2nd Wave will be far worse and already here," one social media user said. Another sent a plea to Kentucky's voters, saying that the politicians voted into office "didn't want you to get help," and urged voters to think "differently" when it comes to their elected officials. A third social media user huffed, "And he is a senator for one of the poorest and most in need states in the union."

A fourth Twitter user posted that McConnell had lost site of his purpose, sarcastically writing, "So terrible when the government does what it is supposed to do — help people." While McConnell words got retweeted by @TheDemocrats with the caption, "Couldn't have said it better ourselves, Mitch McConnell," it's clear that the internet is not in agreement with the bipartisan display.