On Wednesday, the House entered final debate on the Senate version of the latest wave of relief from the pandemic that's killed over 500 thousand Americans.
The $1.9 trillion package enjoys widespread support on all sides of the aisle among the American people, but none of that support translates to Republican elected officials.
That's why Republican representatives railed against the bill over the course of the debate, characterizing the legislation as "socialist" and a "Democrat wish list."
Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin took that rhetoric a step further, advancing anti-Black stereotypes with his demonization of the Black Lives Matter movement—a favorite target of the Republican party.
Watch below.
Glenn Grothman brings up Black Lives Matter and then says, "I know it's a group that doesn't like the old fashioned family" pic.twitter.com/YylV8aJo7Y
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2021
Grothman said:
"First, one of the things that hasn't been mentioned, the increase in the earned income tax credit for single people has a marriage penalty in it. I bring it up because I know the strength that Black Lives Matter had in this last election. I know it's a group that doesn't like the old-fashioned family — disturbed that we have another program here in which we're increasing the marriage penalty."
His words received immediate rebuke from Democratic Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who served as an impeachment manager in former President Donald Trump's trial in the Senate earlier this year.
Plaskett said:
"I hope my colleague from Wisconsin will not leave at this time, as he's talked about Black Lives Matter. How dare you, how dare you say that Black Lives Matter, Black people do not understand old fashioned families despite some of the issues, some of the things that you have put forward that I've heard out of your mouth in the Oversight Committee, in your own district."
She continued:
"We have been able to keep our families alive for over 400 years, and the assault on our families to not have Black lives or not even have Black families. How dare you say that we are not interested in families in the Black community. That is outrageous that should be stricken down."
Her words were met with widespread praise.
Meanwhile, Grothman's racist quip faced criticisms from social media users across the country.
The House passed the American Rescue Plan on Wednesday afternoon. Now, it heads to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.
