Stephanie Murphy Calls Out Pelosi over Delayed Infrastructure Package Vote

Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-7) has called out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) for delaying a vote on a $1.2 billion infrastructure package on the House floor. Pelosi previously made concessions to Democrat moderates, of which Murphy is often categorized since she is co-chair of the Blue-Dog Coalition, that the package was to be voted on last week.

Murphy said she is “profoundly disappointed and disillusioned” and said that some of her fellow Democrats have been using the infrastructure package to “gain ‘leverage’” over other Democrats.

“The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which would improve quality of life and create jobs for the American people, has been — yet again — delayed,” Murphy said on Twitter. “I am profoundly disappointed and disillusioned by this process.”

The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which would improve quality of life and create jobs for the American people, has been — yet again — delayed. I am profoundly disappointed and disillusioned by this process.

Read my full statement:https://t.co/0sFWEHNmxH

— Archive: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) October 2, 2021

In a public statement, Murphy specifically called out Pelosi for what she says is a broken pledge to her own party.

“While I have great respect for the Speaker, I believe her decision to again delay a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill is wrong. The Speaker pledged that the House would consider this bill on September 27 and that she would rally the votes to ensure the bill has the best chance to pass. This promise was enshrined in a House resolution that every Democrat supported. This written commitment was the only reason there were enough votes in the House to even start the reconciliation process—that is, to begin the process of writing the Build Back Better Act.”

“My position has been clear from day one. I support passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” Murphy said. Murphy also added that she supports passing a larger social spending plan “that is fiscally disciplined, and that prioritizes measures to combat climate change.”

Murphy concluded her comments by saying no one holds leverage over her votes on the House floor and she will do what she feels is best for Floridians.

“No member of Congress, and certainly no member of my own party, has the slightest leverage over my vote,” Murphy said. “I will do what I believe is in the best interest of my constituents and my country, and what comports with my conscience.”

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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Nancy Pelosi” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0.