Republican Congressman Kevin Brady of Texas recently said he opposed $2,000 stimulus checks because he thought Americans would use that money to "pay down credit card debt" or make "new purchases online."
Kevin Brady says he opposes $2,000 checks because it would go toward people paying down credit card debt or making… https://t.co/VBSSppWygM— Matt Fuller (@Matt Fuller) 1609192156.0
Of course, Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez quickly reminded Brady he was describing the entire point of stimulus checks.
“I don’t support $2k survival checks because it might help people get out of debt that our gov’t inaction helped pu… https://t.co/wIbesFtF8w— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1609198247.0
Many other Twitter users also tried to help Brady understand how nonsensical his reasoning was.
@AOC He opposes $2000 checks because... people would use them to pay bills and buy things? In other words, exactly as intended?— Nisslbody (@Nisslbody) 1609198366.0
@AOC Rich people save money when it's given to them. Poorer people spend it. Spending is better for the economy every. single. time.— Ian Schafer (@Ian Schafer) 1609198323.0
@AOC "Buying things" is literally the entire point. It's a STIMULUS check, to STIMULATE the economy. How do people not understand this??— ♿️Christian♿️ (@♿️Christian♿️) 1609198427.0
AOC also issued fact checks to some other Republicans who publicly opposed the $2,000 stiumulus.
1st of all, aid starts phasing out at $75k 2. it’s already tied to outdated income info, don’t make it worse 3. P… https://t.co/N0cJHzMgy5— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1609195781.0
It seems many Republicans don't want Americans to get money if it's going to help them.
@AOC Meanwhile, Canada has given a total $14,000 per working person since April. And more if you have kids. Most fa… https://t.co/jIycaniQlg— Sinkingmothership🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇿🇨🇵 (@Sinkingmothership🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇿🇨🇵) 1609263252.0
@AOC We receive $494/mo. I work two part time jobs (education and disability services), husband in retail sector. W… https://t.co/q3jViQmLoz— Sinkingmothership🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇿🇨🇵 (@Sinkingmothership🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇿🇨🇵) 1609263405.0
@AOC Walmart and Amazon both sale food and medicine/medical supplies. I have a lot of parents who buy medical suppl… https://t.co/gr9HNEnUqu— Myself (@Myself) 1609280519.0
Unsurprisingly, a stimulus check is supposed to stimulate the economy, which wouldn't happen if Americans just put that money away.
@AOC So basically, pumping cash into into struggling economy is bad? We should continue into a deflationary depress… https://t.co/CiSwtAagGY— Karin Smith (yes, that one from TV) (@Karin Smith (yes, that one from TV)) 1609198424.0
@AOC This is the party that says they believe in Jesus teachings. The irony is off the scale.— Craig G (@Craig G) 1609198338.0
@AOC @1stNationsTruth I mean, once people start getting used to eating every day, where will it end? Pretty soon t… https://t.co/Bji6Ud6JEM— Tim Murphy 🇨🇦 🏳️🌈 👨🚒🍪 (@Tim Murphy 🇨🇦 🏳️🌈 👨🚒🍪) 1609198838.0
The last stimulus checks helped avert what could have been an economic catastrophe, but it seems Brady hasn't taken the time to study his history.
@AOC And there's easily-available research out there on how people spent the last checks -- on food, rent, etc. OY!… https://t.co/zRM7SST5ep— Trudi Witonsky (@Trudi Witonsky) 1609253869.0
@AOC Wow, they really don't know what poverty is like. Can't even finish fixing my teeth and I have paid hundreds t… https://t.co/VAs6rdytBj— Diana Mendez (@Diana Mendez) 1609200861.0
@AOC I can assure that 90% of people will be using these checks for basic survival needs such as rent, food, utilit… https://t.co/DepNuK8RLT— Drew Cecil (@Drew Cecil) 1609290990.0
As Americans continue to suffer from the economic fallout caused by the Trump administration's botched response to the pandemic, Republicans like Brady have resisted every form of aid that is brought to the table.
Oddly they had no qualms giving huge tax breaks and subsidies to the country's wealthy and corporations that used the extra money to buy another yacht—literally—and do stock buy backs to increase their profits further.