Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) said Sunday she couldn’t remember how she voted for two important bills she’s touted as victories she brought home.
in interview On CBS News Miami, Salazar repeatedly wavered when asked about his votes against specific bills, including the CHIPS and Science Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Salazar said throughout the interview that she didn’t remember how she voted, that she needed to talk to her staff, and that she tried to redirect the conversation to focus on other bills she had introduced. Stated.
“The money you’re talking about, $40 million that you’re bringing back to your district, sometimes that money comes from bills that you voted against. You voted against the CHIPS Act, but , you’re praising the fact that the South Florida climate resiliency tech hub is starting in Miami, right? You voted against the infrastructure bill, and yet you’re talking about all the money going back to the airport. ” Anker said.
“So you get to take credit for the money you bring back to your district in Washington, and at the same time vote against these projects on a partisan vote,” he added.
Salazar replied: “Listen, I think it was last cycle, I can’t really remember right now, but just look at American Law.”
“I guess they don’t want to explain why they voted against it. [these bills]? ” Anchor asked, interrupting her.
“I mean, I’m not trying to be a politician right now, but I know that we’ve introduced so many bills and a lot of them are bills.”
The anchor interjected, “These are the bills you voted against.”
“Okay, but it’s okay. Sometimes I vote, sometimes I don’t, but let’s look at the positive,” she said before changing her opinion.
The controversial exchange came after Salazar specifically brought up a recent photo shoot she did last month at Florida International University in Miami, where the local anchor pressured the former TV journalist about her vote. signed the check in school.
“Last month, you were at FIU and you presented a check for $650,000 to help small businesses at FIU, but you voted against the bill that gave you that money, and then you signed and handed the check, and you took a photo. We took a shot, and that’s the Consolidated Appropriations Bill of 2023, right? You voted against that bill,” the anchor said.
“I need more details right now, but I know that whenever I have the opportunity to give money to my constituents, I do it,” Salazar responded.
“But you voted against CHIPS and the Science Act, right?” he asked again.
“Listen, I need to do this now and I need to talk to my staff,” Salazar said before raising “the $40 million that I brought to this community.” Aren’t you proud of me? Aren’t you proud of the $40 million I brought? Aren’t you proud that I wrote the Dignity Act?…Let’s talk about the Americas Act,” she said.
The Hill has reached out to officials from Salazar’s office for comment.
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