McConnell 'Proud' of his Infrastructure Vote as Republicans who Supported Bill Face Backlash

Senator Mitch McConnell is standing by his vote to approve the infrastructure bill, even as Republicans who did so face serious backlash from their own party.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the chamber's minority leader defended his decision to back the $1.2 trillion measure, which invests $550 billion in new funding into transportation, broadband and utilities.

"The infrastructure bill did not raise taxes. It did not revisit the 2017 tax bill. From a Kentucky point of view, it was extremely good for our state. I'm proud of my vote," McConnell said.

He continued, "Members were obviously free to choose how they wanted to vote. And in the Senate, 19 Senate Republicans felt it was the right thing to do for the country."

After clearing the upper chamber in August, the infrastructure bill passed 228 to 206 in the House of Representatives on November 5. Thirteen Republicans helped push the legislation across the finish line after a handful of Democrat defections.

President Joe Biden signed the measure into law at the White House on Monday flanked by lawmakers from both parties.

"The bill I'm about to sign into law is proof that despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and deliver results," Biden said at the ceremony. "We can do this. We can deliver real results for real people."

But the Republicans who backed the bill have since been bombarded with negative messages from voters and fellow members, The New York Times reported.

Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert criticized her colleagues, writing on Twitter: "RINOS just passed this wasteful $1.2 trillion dollar 'infrastructure' bill. Pelosi did not have the votes in her party to pass this garbage. Time to name names and hold these fake republicans accountable."

Congressman Madison Cawthorn went so far as to call for any Republican who supported the bill to face a primary challenger during their next election.
One of the most vocal critics is former President Donald Trump, who criticized McConnell specifically in a statement released last week.

"Why is it that Old Crow Mitch McConnell voted for a terrible Democrat Socialist Infrastructure Plan, and induced others in his Party to do likewise, when he was incapable of getting a great Infrastructure Plan wanting to be put forward by me and the Republican Party?" Trump said.

Trump has remained an influential figure in the Republican Party, wielding coveted endorsements for loyal allies.

When it came to GOP support for the infrastructure bill, the former president also said, "All Republicans who voted for Democrat longevity should be ashamed of themselves, in particular Mitch McConnell, for granting a two month stay which allowed the Democrats time to work things out at our Country's, and the Republican Party's expense!"