(Railfanning.org News Wire) — Georgia Democrats are crying foul, saying a Peach State congressman is taking credit for federal funding he opposed.
Georgia Democrats say U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Georgia, voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which some call the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the Dems say that hasn’t stopped Carter from taking credit.
“This isn’t the first time Buddy Carter has tried to take credit for federal projects after voting against them, and unfortunately, Coastal Georgians have become all too familiar with his particular brand of hypocrisy,” Democratic Party of Georgia Executive Director Tolulope Kevin Olasanoye said in a statement. “Coastal Georgia needs a representative who always has their best interests at heart, not just when it’s convenient to take credit for other people’s work.”
The Dems’ critique follows a Federal Railroad Administration announcement of more than $2.4 billion for 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C. The grants are administered through FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.
Democrats pointed to roughly $26.5 million included for rail improvements at the Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick.
The project includes the improvement of the Myd Harris Yard and the construction of the new South Side Rail Yard. For the South Side Rail Yard, the project includes four new yard tracks, estimated at approximately 23,735 feet of track, and the construction of a south-side auto storage area and a perimeter road, as well as grade-separate the one existing crossing.
When asked for comment about the Dems’ criticism, a spokesperson for Carter pointed Railfanning.org News Wire to an April letter the congressman sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg advocating for the Georgia Ports Authority’s CRISI grant request.
“The infrastructure improvements funded by this grant application and to be undertaken by the Georgia Ports Authority will allow for the future growth of business in the State of Georgia and the region,” Carter wrote. “Additionally, this project will help create immediate and long-term family wage jobs and expand economic development intended by the CRISI programs while ensuring maximum return on previous federal and state investments.
“This grant will yield significant long-term economic benefits for Georgia, and the Southeastern United States region, as well as the entire nation,” Carter added.
Georgia Democrats, however, did not respond to a request for comment on whether this type of federal spending is prudent considering the national debt.
