Last week, thanks to the work of progressive lawmakers like Democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush of Missouri, the Biden administration extended the pandemic-induced eviction moratorium for a majority of the country as millions of people were set to lose their homes and as the Delta variant continues to wreak havoc across the country.
The extension came months after Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which included more than $20 billion in emergency rent relief, much of which has yet to be fully distributed.
In response to news of the extension, Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas accused the Biden administration of violating the Constitution.
Canceling the Constitution: Biden hailed for violating rule of law to extend eviction moratoriumhttps://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/566836-canceling-the-constitution-biden-hailed-for-violating-rule-of-law\u00a0\u2026— Senator John Cornyn (@Senator John Cornyn) 1628424791
But just days later, Cornyn was touting rent relief.
Texas has millions in COVID-19 rent relief. Here\u2019s how Dallas renters and landlords can get ithttps://www.dallasnews.com/business/economy/2021/08/10/texas-has-millions-in-covid-19-rent-relief-heres-how-dallas-renters-and-landlords-can-get-it/\u00a0\u2026— Senator John Cornyn (@Senator John Cornyn) 1628694754
Like every other Senate Republican (except one, who didn't weigh in), Cornyn voted against the American Rescue Plan which provided the emergency rental assistance money he's now boasting on Twitter.
Cornyn said at the time of the bill's passage:
"More than 90 percent of the bill's total funding is not directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Democrat colleagues drafted this partisan bill by choice, not necessity. Their desire to turn a liberal wish list into law far outranked their interest in bipartisanship or unity."
People called him out for promoting the benefits of the legislation on Twitter without noting his own opposition to it.
BUT YOU OPPOSED THIS! How typical that you now promote and take credit for it...https://twitter.com/JohnCornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— MairiRuadh (@MairiRuadh) 1628701814
An actual tweet that helps Texans. But remember @JohnCornyn and @SenTedCruz voted against this.https://twitter.com/JohnCornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— Larry (@Larry) 1628701077
Just a reminder to Texans, @JohnCornyn and @tedcruz voted against this. You can thank senators from other states for this relief. Vote better next time.https://twitter.com/JohnCornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— Taylor (@Taylor) 1628700568
* * * CORRECTION * * *\nTexas has millions in COVID-19 rent relief THAT I VOTED AGAINST. Here\u2019s how Dallas renters and landlords can get it\u2026\n* * * Fixed it. * * *\n#GOPHypocrisyhttps://twitter.com/johncornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— Witch Hunter (@Witch Hunter) 1628700010
Shamelessness is a super power in politics.\n\nHe voted against the bill that provided rent relief, but he\u2019s touting it anyway.https://twitter.com/johncornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— Erick Fernandez (@Erick Fernandez) 1628699775
Don\u2019t forget to mention you voted against this relief for your constituents \u2026.. gaslighting gasbag https://twitter.com/johncornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— DobbytheHouseElf (fan) (@DobbytheHouseElf (fan)) 1628701975
They also noted that this isn't a new phenomenon for congressional Republicans.
Yet another example of Republicans taking credit for popular legislation that they voted against.\n\nGOP hypocrisy has no bounds my friends!https://twitter.com/johncornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— Mr. Leftist (@Mr. Leftist) 1628705000
Republicans shamelessly take credit for Covid relief they all voted against.https://twitter.com/johncornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— \ud835\ude8b\ud835\ude8a\ud835\udea1\ud835\ude9d\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude9b \ud835\ude8b\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude97 (@\ud835\ude8b\ud835\ude8a\ud835\udea1\ud835\ude9d\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude9b \ud835\ude8b\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude97) 1628703808
Typical Republican senator, vote against anything helping the American ppl.. when the Democrats get a bill passed, be the first to take the credit... simply pathetic https://twitter.com/JohnCornyn/status/1425475236003291142\u00a0\u2026— Dale Schorik \ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udc99\u262e (@Dale Schorik \ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udc99\u262e) 1628702273
Awkward.
