Republican Congressman introduces bill to rescind $25 million in funding for Kennedy Center

In wake of the Kennedy Center laying off nearly 100 orchestra members despite receiving $25 million in bailout funding, Republican lawmaker Bryan Steil (R-WI) has introduced a bill to have the funding rescinded.

$25 million for the Kennedy Center should never have been included in the CARES Act, but it is appalling that they’re now laying off their workers.

$25 million for the Kennedy Center should never have been included in the CARES Act, but it is appalling that they’re now laying off their workers. https://t.co/4VfDT3BxXt

Kenosha News reports Congressman Bryan Steil has introduced a bill to rescind the $25 million in funding for the Kennedy Center included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“Families and workers are struggling to pay rent, pay their mortgage, and buy groceries. Americans need relief and assistance now which is why I supported the CARES Act. However, some in Washington felt it was important to spend $25 million of taxpayer dollars on the Kennedy Center when there are obviously bigger needs right now. This is frivolous spending in the midst of a national emergency,” said Steil, R-District 1.

“Coronavirus requires a serious and targeted response. Some of my colleagues refused to allow a clean bill to move forward. The Kennedy Center spending should have never made it into the final CARES Act. We must correct this mistake,

Republican Whip Scalise said, “I want to thank Rep. Bryan Steil for his leadership in filing a bill to return the Kennedy Center’s abused earmark, and send a clear message — if an organization is receiving assistance from the federal government, we expect them to take care of their workers.

“As we take further Congressional action to fight the Coronavirus’ devastating impact on families and our economy, I call on Speaker Pelosi to finally put the American people, not special interests, first.” Scalise said.

Per TCO, according to a new report from FreeBeacon nearly 100 musicians working for the Kennedy Center were notified April 3rd would be their last paycheck despite the center receiving a $25 million dollar taxpayer bailout.

FreeBeacon reports the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts informed members of the National Symphony Orchestra that they would no longer be paid just hours after President Trump signed a $25 million taxpayer bailout for the cultural center, according to an email obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

Nearly 100 musicians will no longer receive paychecks after April 3, according to an email from the orchestra’s Covid-19 Advisory Committee.

“The Covid-19 Advisory Committee was broadsided today during our conversation with [Kennedy Center President] Deborah Rutter,” the email says. “Ms. Rutter abruptly informed us today that the last paycheck for all musicians and librarians will be April 3 and that we will not be paid again until the Center reopens.”

The email went out to members on Friday evening, shortly after President Trump signed the $2 trillion CARES Act, a stimulus package intended to provide relief to people left unemployed by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress included $25 m... (Read more)

Tweets mentioned:

https://twitter.com/RepBryanSteil/status/1245077205581017092

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