WASHINGTON – Congressman Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., released the following statement on his vote against the Democrats’ COVID relief bill.

“I have long supported commonsense, targeted relief to help North Dakotans crush the pandemic. The Democrats’ $1.9 trillion package is a handout for radical progressive causes that provides little relief for Americans. Only nine percent of the spending is for direct COVID relief, while more than 90 percent is geared towards Democrats’ political priorities and pet projects.

Legislation like this is why Americans are so frustrated with Congress. There is more than $1 trillion in previously allocated funding sitting unspent. That money should go to help small businesses recover, support our schools, and provide vaccines. But instead of working to get that money into the hands of people who need it, this bill raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour, jeopardizing 1.4 million jobs while we should be encouraging the creation of more jobs.”

The House approved the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill on a near party-line 219-212 vote early Saturday, according to The Associated Press. The bill now goes to the Senate.