Categories: Politics

WATCH: Vulnerable Republican lampooned for ’embarrassing’ exchange with reporter, ‘lie’ about district funding

FIRST ON FOX: A House Republican facing what is expected to be a tough re-election fight this year is being lampooned by Democrats for a recent “embarrassing” exchange with a reporter where she doubled-down on claiming she brought $40 million into the district despite voting against the legislation that provided a majority of the funding.

A new video released Wednesday by the Democratic National Campaign Committee (DCCC), pokes fun at Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., over the exchange, where she was unable to recall her vote against legislation that made up $24 million of the $40 million she claimed to have secured for the people of Florida’s 27th Congressional District.

“Right now you have to give me more details, but I do know that every time I have an opportunity to bring money to my constituents, I do so,” Salazar said when questioned by CBS News Miami’s Jim DeFede over why she made the claim about the funding but voted against the legislation.

VULNERABLE HOUSE DEM BACKPEDALS AFTER REFUSING TO CONDEMN PHRASE SEEN AS CALLING FOR ‘EXTERMINATION’ OF JEWS

Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) speaks during a press conference on immigration outside the U.S. Capitol Building on May 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The interview spiraled when DeFede continued pressing Salazar, and she responded she would have to ask her staff before continuing to claim she brought $40 million to the district. “Aren’t you proud of me? Aren’t you proud of the $40 million that I’ve brought?” she asked DeFede.

Of the $40 million Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., claimed she personally played a role in securing for various projects in her district, including infrastructure, $24 million came as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which Salazar actually opposed alongside nearly all of her Republican colleagues.

The DCCC video targeting Salazar includes clips of the interview, overlaid with circus-like music, and claims the congresswoman’s “lies are catching up to her.” It comes as Democrats aim to flip control of the House of Representatives from Republicans, who currently hold a narrow majority of just a few seats.

WATCH: SUPER BOWL AD FEATURES MARINE DRILL INSTRUCTOR RUNNING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THROUGH BOOT CAMP

Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., got into a tense exchange with CBS News Miami’s Jim DeFede during a January 2023 interview. (Screenshot/CBS News Miami)

“María Elvira Salazar thinks she can keep taking credit with voters in South Miami for federal funding that she voted against. Too bad for her, the DCCC has the receipts, proof, timeline, and screenshots — and we’re bringing the facts directly to voters,” DCCC spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement.

When reached for comment, Salazar’s campaign pointed Fox News Digital to an op-ed she wrote in the Miami Herald following the exchange. In it, Salazar explained that she fought to get the funding included in the bill as it was being drafted, but that it later became a “bloated” bill loaded with “bad policies” she was unwilling to vote for.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP  

“Let me be clear: I will never apologize for working to deliver wins for the district I have been entrusted to represent by the voters. I will always vote my conscience and in the best interest of our community and our country,” she wrote.

Elections analysts rate the race for Florida’s 27th Congressional District as “solid” or “likely” Republican.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Share

Recent Posts

US military shoots down Houthi drones as Trump’s strikes against terrorist group continue

close Video Houthi drones shot down by U.S. forces, senior official says Fox News correspondent…

2 hours ago

Report: Jewish Tesla owner ‘speechless’ after Jewish Musk-hater finger-traces swastika on his Cybertruck

close Video Environmental Progress founder rips Tesla vandals: 'Democrats are really lost' Michael Shellenberger, founder…

2 hours ago

Man set on fire in heart of New York City’s Times Square, suspect at large: report

close Video NYPD searching for suspect who lit man on fire in Times Square A…

2 hours ago

Trump thanks El Salvador for taking in alleged gang members deported from US: ‘We will not forget’

President Donald Trump thanked El Salvador on Sunday after the country's president shared dramatic video…

2 hours ago

Trumps takes jab at Biden over ‘autopen signature’ following concerning report over who ran the White House

President Donald Trump trolled former President Joe Biden in a social media post on Sunday,…

2 hours ago

Longtime Rep. Nita Lowey dead at 87

Former Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., has died at age 87, according to her family. Lowey,…

2 hours ago