Here is a May 6 press release from John Boehnor's Congressional web page:
Washington - Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today announced that the Piqua Fire Department will receive $121,011 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
"The Piqua Fire Department has a long history of service and dedication to the people of Miami County, and these funds will allow them to continue their outstanding work," Congressman Boehner said. "I congratulate everyone at the Piqua Fire Department for all of their hard work throughout this highly competitive grant process."
"We are very thankful," Piqua Fire Chief Mike Rindler said. "This will really make a difference; the fire suppression system will protect our older building, and the air compressor will protect our firefighters."
Awww. Isn't that nice of him. Naturally, he failed to inform Chief Rindler that he voted against the Recovery Act and Omnibus appropriation that provided the grant.
I'm sure Chief Rindler would be interested to learn that:
On February 17, 2009, the President signed P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The ARRA included an additional $210 million in firefighter assistance grants for modifying, upgrading, or constructing state and local non-federal fire stations, provided that 5% be set aside for program administration and provided that no grant shall exceed $15 million.
link
Nevertheless, John Boehnor never wastes an opportunity to attack the Recovery Act as "wasteful government spending:"
"Today’s anniversary of the Democrats’ trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ marks one year of broken promises, bloated government, and wasteful spending. The majority promised that under their ‘stimulus’ unemployment would not exceed eight percent and job creation would begin ‘almost immediately.’ But since President Obama signed it into law, more than three million Americans have lost their jobs, unemployment is near 10 percent, and the deficit is set to hit a record $1.6 trillion. Americans are asking 'where are the jobs' but all they are getting from Democrats who control Washington is more spending and more debt piled on the backs of our kids and grandkids.
But when it comes to that very same act bringing employment to his district, it must be known that he did his part to assist the Federal Government in being as wasteful as possible:
The Piqua Fire Department will use the grant to replace the fire station’s outdated sprinkler system, and purchase an air compressor to provide a safe, reliable breathing supply for firefighters. Boehner wrote a support letter to DHS on behalf of the Piqua Fire Department’s application in May of 2009, noting the grant would "have a direct effect on the health and safety of the Piqua firefighters" as they protect the Piqua community and provide assistance to 11 other fire departments in Miami County.
One supposes no jobs will be created or supported by replacing a sprinkler system or manufacturing and installing an air compressor. One supposes also that everyone in Piqua will be SHOCKED, SHOCKED...at John Boehnor supporting a GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF THE AIR!!!!
The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote a piece outlining the DCCC's attack on Boehnor in its Hypocrisy Hall of Fame. Due to the local exposure, Boehnor's office offered up this ridiculous response:
"Boehner's 'no' vote on the bill had nothing to do with this program and the disingenuous Democrats know it," said Fritz. "The issue was the excessive overall spending level in the bill, and the disingenuous Democrats know that, too."
It's the overall spending. Not Boehnor's spending. It seems odd a "fiscal hawk" like himself never asked the question
Why does a firehouse need a sprinkler system?