CONCORD – Today, Republican members of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee voted to table $27 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to fund the state’s Immunization Program. In response, House Democratic Leader Rep. Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) released the following statement:
“At every level of government, Republicans are letting unfounded conspiracy theories and extremism guide their decision making over the ongoing pandemic. At today’s meeting of the Fiscal Committee, Republicans voted to block federal funds to fight COVID and inappropriately argued with the Commissioner of DHHS over the effect of vaccination on hospitalization rates. Instead of listening to our state’s the health care professionals, Republicans are peddling and basing their votes on blatant misinformation.
Refusing federal funds to fight COVID will only increase expenses on taxpayers and take the lives of more Granite Staters. Governor Sununu campaigned for the Republican Executive Councilors who blocked federal funds on Tuesday, and he campaigned for the legislators who blocked federal funds today. It is time for the governor to show some leadership and reign in the extremist Republicans who are failing New Hampshire. Between the Republican anti-vaccination rally on Tuesday, the Executive Council’s blocking of federal funds on Wednesday, and House and Senate Republican’s doubling down today, New Hampshire’s credibility has sadly been tainted in the eyes of the country and world this week.”