JD Vance/ infrastructure law/ Ohio projects/ federal funding/ bipartisan bill/ racial equity/ Ohio senator/ infrastructure spending/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Despite criticizing a 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law during his Senate campaign, JD Vance has since sought over $200 million in federal funding for Ohio projects. As a senator, he requested support for local initiatives, even while maintaining opposition to certain aspects of the legislation. Vance’s shift underscores a broader trend among Republicans benefiting from the law they initially opposed.
Vance Infrastructure Law Quick Looks:
- JD Vance sought over $200M from an infrastructure law he criticized.
- Vance called the 2021 infrastructure law a “huge mistake” during his campaign.
- Toledo received $20M to address past discriminatory urban planning.
- Vance’s previous opposition focused on racial justice provisions in the bill.
- Four of Vance’s requests, totaling $130M, have been approved.
JD Vance Embraces Infrastructure Law He Once Opposed
Deep Look:
During his Senate campaign in 2022, JD Vance was a vocal critic of the bipartisan 2021 infrastructure law, calling it a “huge mistake” shaped by Democratic spending priorities. He expressed concerns about the bill’s focus on racial equity and its alignment with what he viewed as “destructive” Biden-Harris policies. However, after securing a Senate seat in 2023, Vance’s approach took a pragmatic turn as he sought more than $200 million in federal funds for infrastructure projects across Ohio.
Vance, who now serves as the Republican vice-presidential nominee, is not alone in this pivot. Many Republicans who initially opposed Biden’s infrastructure package have later sought to capitalize on its funding to support local projects. For Vance, this shift in position is notable given his harsh criticism of the legislation during his campaign. The bill, which passed with the support of 19 Republicans in the Senate, aimed to invest over $1 trillion in much-needed infrastructure improvements nationwide, tackling projects from roads and bridges to broadband internet expansion.
Vance’s Campaign Criticism
In 2021, Vance had strongly opposed the infrastructure bill, which was co-authored by his predecessor, Ohio Senator Rob Portman. He expressed concerns that the bill contained unnecessary and ideologically driven elements, such as “transportation equity,” which he equated to the introduction of critical race theory into infrastructure projects. Vance argued that the bill, rather than addressing the country’s most pressing infrastructure needs, was a political win for Democrats that prioritized racial justice over effective investment in public works.
“I’m reading through this new infrastructure bill, and it includes all these ridiculous references to things called transportation equity, which is basically just importing critical race theory into our nation’s infrastructure programs,” Vance tweeted in August 2021. He maintained this stance during several interviews, expressing the view that Republicans had made a mistake by allowing the bill to pass.
Changing Tides After Taking Office
After taking office, Vance’s rhetoric shifted, though he never openly acknowledged his reversal. According to records obtained by the Associated Press, Vance has sent at least 10 letters to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg between 2023 and 2024, requesting a total of $213 million for various Ohio projects. Among the most notable requests was nearly $20 million for a project aimed at revitalizing a majority-Black neighborhood in Toledo. The area was historically isolated from the city center due to discriminatory urban planning decisions when Interstate 75 was built in the 1960s. Vance, who had previously mocked discussions of racial bias in urban planning, acknowledged the potential benefits of the project in his correspondence, despite his earlier opposition to the bill’s focus on equity.
In total, at least four of the projects Vance advocated for have been approved, securing approximately $130 million for Ohio. Vance’s requests included support for the expansion of low or no-emission buses in the state, even as he continued to criticize Democrats for their environmental policies. In a recent opinion article in The Wall Street Journal, Vance argued that the Biden administration’s push for zero-emission initiatives was harming investment in traditional energy sources like coal and natural gas.
Political and Public Reaction
Vance’s shift in position has not gone unnoticed. Tim Ryan, the Democrat Vance defeated in the general election, has accused him of being inconsistent, stating that this flip-flop “fits the general pattern of him being two-faced on just about everything.” Ryan pointed out that Vance had also changed his stance on Donald Trump, whom he once compared to “America’s Hitler,” only to later align with him for political gain.
Matt Dolan, a Republican state senator who ran against Vance in the 2022 primary, highlighted the contrast between campaign rhetoric and the realities of governing. Dolan was the only GOP candidate in the primary to support the infrastructure bill and expressed relief that Vance had seemingly warmed to the legislation. He argued that rejecting federal infrastructure funds for political reasons would harm Ohioans, and expressed hope that Vance’s newfound support for the bill would benefit the state.
However, Vance’s office has maintained that his requests for infrastructure funds are not a contradiction of his previous position. In a statement, Parker Magid, a spokesperson for Vance, emphasized that the senator is focused on delivering results for his constituents, regardless of the party in power. He acknowledged Vance’s concerns about the broader implications of the infrastructure bill but asserted that the senator is committed to ensuring Ohio receives its fair share of federal support.
Vance’s Impact on Ohio Projects
Despite his initial objections, Vance’s advocacy for federal infrastructure funds appears to be paying off for Ohio. Projects in cities like Toledo and those targeting sustainable transportation could significantly improve local economies and address longstanding community issues. The influx of federal dollars promises to revitalize regions that have suffered from neglect or poor planning decisions in the past.
Vance’s evolving stance reflects the complexities of governing, where the political realities of serving a diverse constituency often challenge campaign rhetoric. While his initial opposition to the infrastructure bill was rooted in ideological differences with Democrats, Vance has demonstrated a willingness to work within the system to secure benefits for his state.
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