The Democrats in Congress gave President Joe Biden a much-needed win on Friday, but they had some help. That help came in the form of New Jersey Republican Congressmen Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew. Without Republican support, the Biden-Pelosi 1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill was dead.
That’s because “squad” Democrats like Sandy Cortez and Ilhan Omar voted against it.
In response, former Democrat Van Drew took a lot of flak this week from Republicans in the state for throwing Joe Biden’s administration a much-needed lifeline. On Monday, the Ocean County GOP, headed by Chairman Frank B. Holman made excuses for Van Drew and urged their members to reconsider their disgust in the South Jersey Congressman’s vote.
In the letter shared by Holman’s organization, Van Drew pleaded with Ocean County Republicans to say that he overwhelmingly voted against Biden’s socialist agenda, but voted yes on the country’s largest infrastructure bill even passed.
“What I voted for last night was a bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed with broad Republican and Democrat support in the U.S. Senate,” he said. “I voted to invest an additional $550 billion in our nation’s roads and bridges.”
Van Drew who received the backing of President Trump, who opposed the bill said he will continue working against the Build Back Better plan being pushed by Biden and the Democrats.
Ocean County rank and file Republicans weren’t buying it.
“He voted with Pelosi! Enough said. Vote him out,” said Tricia Hogan.
“I’m so disappointed!! The 13 Rhinos can hardly be described as “broad republican support”. Your words are just words- no more support here,” replied Nanette Cummings.
Charles O’Connell fixed the record saying, “It didn’t pass with Broad Republican Support. It passed with 13 backstabbing rinos, including Van Drew. Van Drew did the bidding of Pelosi. will be happily contributing to his primary opponent.”
“Van Drew should be primaried.If Republicans keep up their strength in South Jersey through the 2022 elections, there is no reason to expect that a more Conservative Congressman couldn’t get elected.Time to back someone new,” replied Todd Lund.
“Idiot!! Should have never voted yes for this.. you will be primaried,” said Michele Weber.
“The win he and Smith gave Pelosi and President Brandon is unforgivable. They got to go,” replied H.R. Newman.
“He saved Biden’s Agenda I’ve been asking detail the spending, how is it being paid for and what are the projects not the dollars.He should be primaried,” said Jim Ulrich
“I no longer support you and you are still a Democrat. Matter of fact I am disgusted,” said Elyse Rain.
Attempts to reach Ocean County GOP Holman were unsuccessful. Sources within the party said Holman left New Jersey hours after last Tuesday’s election for an extended out-of-state hunting trip.