Republicans have voiced their concerns about a $3.5 trillion Democratic spending plan in recent weeks, which, if passed this fall, would significantly expand the social safety net.
But Fox News reporter Lucas Tomlinson appeared to imply that he had not even read the bill he has been so eager to criticize, and was ripped for saying that the bill is longer than the Bible.
In a widely circulated tweet, Tomlinson pointed out the bill is twice as long as the Bible.
The Bible is 1,200 pages.\n\nThe $3.5 trillion bill is 2,400 pages.— Lucas Tomlinson (@Lucas Tomlinson) 1632675934
It should not come as a surprise the bill is so long.
The plan is part of efforts from the Democrats to respond to the climate crisis, invest in infrastructure and expand education, health care and childcare support.
It would constitute the largest broadening of the social safety net in years.
The plan is remarkably detailed. Democrats are hoping to undo many of the tax cuts Republicans enacted under former President Donald Trump as a way to pay for the plan.
The plan includes increasing the top corporate tax rate to 26.5% and reinstating the top rate of 39.6% for individuals earning more than $400,000 and married couples earning over $450,000.
Tomlinson's remark was widely mocked, with many noting his complaint is a sign he hasn't bothered to read a bill he is so eager to criticize.
If you\u2019re comparing the length of a bill (with huge margins, large text, and double spacing) with the length of the Bible (with small margins, small fonts, and often two columns a page), I\u2019ll just assume you haven\u2019t actually read one of them, or both.https://twitter.com/lucasfoxnews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse) 1632785381
And Republicans haven\u2019t read either one. So what?https://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Hemant Mehta (@Hemant Mehta) 1632781645
We live in the dumbest fucking times.https://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Trevor Burns (@Trevor Burns) 1632788669
Tell me you've never- ah fuck it.https://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Luke Russell (@Luke Russell) 1632798141
Republicans will pretend they read both.https://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— J. Elvis Weinstein (@J. Elvis Weinstein) 1632786151
Donald Trump signed the $2.3 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act within weeks of its drafting last December. It was approved by large bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress.\n\nIt was 5,593 pages long.\n\nYou make time for the things that are important to you!https://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Adam Weinstein (@Adam Weinstein) 1632779641
These people never read these massive bills they vote on. That's why Americans get stuck with so many things they don't wanthttps://twitter.com/LucasFoxNews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Michael Foster (@Michael Foster) 1632763329
Conservatives are somehow simultaneously both against executive branch discretion and also long, detailed bills.https://twitter.com/lucasfoxnews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— Matthew Yglesias (@Matthew Yglesias) 1632764941
Pretty bold for a @FoxNews personality to imply Biden\u2019s economic agenda is bigger and better than the Bible.https://twitter.com/lucasfoxnews/status/1442173512039403521\u00a0\u2026— T\u00edo Sam \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfa (@T\u00edo Sam \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfa) 1632773571
The $3.5 trillion spending plan is currently in the crosshairs of a battle being waged in the Senate.
Republicans, under the direction of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, blocked a measure that would keep the government funded, provide billions of dollars in hurricane relief and keep the United States from defaulting on its debts.
Republicans have said they will not support raising the debt ceiling in protest of the plan.
These actions have raised the concerns of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who in a letter to lawmakers issued this morning warned the United States has just three weeks before it defaults on its debts.
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