The nonpartisan Lugar Center has just released its annual bipartisan index for House members, and Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) is drawing criticism for ranking among the least bipartisan members at number 409.
Rep. Mucarsel-Powell ranks around fellow lawmakers such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D), Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar (D), Ayanna Pressley and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D), who make up the ultra-progressive "Squad" in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Moreover, it was also noted that Rep. Mucarsel-Powell votes along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) 100% of the time.
Because of this, national and state Republicans have now bolstered their attack against the freshman lawmaker who faces a contentious reelection bid. Mucarsel-Powell will face the winner of the Republican primary between firefighter Omar Blanco and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
In addition, President Trump has signaled that his presidential campaign would specifically target her in the state of Florida as the president also looks to maintain a stronghold in the sunshine state.
During a press call late last year, Eric Trump said that Mucarsel-Powell and other members of the House who impeached his father would be "held accountable" for their action.
“People are going to have to be held accountable to that (impeachment), and you better believe my father will be campaigning a tremendous amount in Florida, as will I, as will Don,” said Trump
In response to the index's findings, Camille Gallo, the Regional Press Secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, stated that “Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a hyper-partisan member of Congress who will always follow the socialist Democrats in Washington instead of reaching across the aisle to help Floridians.”
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Mucarsel-Powell has not directly responded to the criticism she is receiving but has taken this week to remind her constituents that they need to act by Wednesday, May 13th in order to accelerate direct stimulus payments through direct deposits.
In a statement, the Florida lawmaker argued that she “fought to include direct stimulus payments for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, through no fault of their own.”
Moreover, she instructed constituents “that they have until noon on Wednesday, May 13th, to go into the ‘Get My Payment’ IRS portal and update their banking information if they would like to receive their stimulus payment by direct deposit.”
