Support for the Build Back Better bill has been mixed in Florida, but one vocal supporter has been Florida Rep. Val Demings (D). Having championed the bill since its initial incarnation as a $3.5 trillion spending bill, the Senatorial hopeful praised the passing of the bill in a statement.
Relating her personal story while growing up, Demings posed the bill as making the American easily accessible for Americans, but Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s (R) campaign directed verbal political jabs, calling her “Florida’s #1 Champion for Build Back Socialist Tax Hikes.”
Shortly after being passed, the bill and Democrats received widespread scrutiny from Republicans.
Elizabeth Gregory, the Communications Director for Senator Rubio’s reelection campaign, commented that “Demings has embraced her role as Florida’s #1 champion of the Build Back Socialist agenda, proving she would be a rubber stamp for Chuck Schumer just as she has been for Nancy Pelosi.” “Florida – and the whole country – cannot afford to have Demings be the 51st vote for the Democrats’ socialist agenda in the Senate,” Gregory added.
In contrast, Demings’ statement praised the passing of the bill, and she expressed hope, saying that it “will cut your taxes, reduce your household costs, and create new jobs for Floridians, and it is fully paid for with no new taxes for middle class families.”
In providing a mission statement for Democrats, considering that recent polls have indicated that American support for the party fixing the economy is dwindling, Demings expressed that “our mission is clear: to put money in the pockets of working families, dramatically reduce the cost of things that keep Floridians up at night, and get people back to work.”
Rubio’s challenger also shared an anecdote of her upbringing, noting that “during the debate over this legislation, I thought of my parents, who played by the rules and worked hard as a maid, janitor and in other odd jobs nearly every day of their lives.”
“I thought of my own journey to become the first in my family to go to college, keeping track of every dollar and working fast food jobs to pay my way,” Demings added. This is because "the American Dream is becoming out of reach for millions of Floridians," and Demings argues that the bill is an effort to bring it within reach.
While both lawmakers fundamentally agree on what the legislative way forward should be for the United States, the comments come as the race heats up.
It is expected to be one of the most closely watched and expensive races in this election cycle.
