Scanlon says she’s brought $1 billion to district
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon,
D-5 of Swarthmore, recently reported helping to bring more than
$1.1 billion back to her home congressional district for job protection, early education, COVID-19 response and for health care. Her Republican opponent Dasha Pruett calls the announcement’s timing off-base.
Last week, Scanlon’s office noted the representative had directly helped to bring
$1,124,439,278 in federal funds back to the 5th District during her first two-year term. In addition, her office stated that $71,253,806 had been distributed to constituents and organizations through programs Scanlon had voted to fund.
“Since coming to Congress, our district has been faced with challenges that have jeopardized the health and wellbeing of families, the jobs they rely on, and the critical programs that support the education and health of their children,” Scanlon said. “I take seriously the obligation we have as public servants to fight for the resources my constituents need and to protect the programs they depend on to grow and thrive. It is the privilege of a lifetime to represent our community in Congress — I’ll never stop fighting for families and children.”
Of the allocations, she said $955 million supported jobs and infrastructure projects in the region; more than $21 million supported early, secondary and postsecondary education; $133 million for the Philadelphia International Airport; and more than $2.2 million for health-related initiatives.
Related to her job support, Scanlon said $303 million of that was to fight for the Chinook program and 3,400 jobs at the Boeing plant, as well as advocating for $630 million for the Philadelphia Shipyard contract to bring
1,200 jobs here.
With the education segment, the congresswoman spoke of the
$10 million secured for the Head Start Program at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit.
And, with regards to the health care, she noted $586,323 for the AIDS Care Group for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Group; $788,246 for public health services at
ChesPenn Health Services; and $1 million for the Foundation of Delaware County to address disparities in perinatal care.
Pruett, her opponent in November, said the congresswoman would do better than to build a tally in a time like this.
“Considering everything going on right now, I thought it was a little off base,” Pruett said. “Some of the things shes taking credit for have been in the works forever.”
Saying such an announcement makes Scanlon look nervous, Pruett added, “Frankly … I think she needs to spend more time in her communities.”
“We are in a state of chaos between the riots and the looting and the attack on our police officers and our flag and our country,” Pruett said. “Nobody knows what’s going on. There’s no guidance from anybody.”
She said Scanlon has not done enough to support police officers at this time, while she’s been present at Black Lives Matter events.
In addition, Pruett said parents who are forced to deal with virtual learning should receive stimulus funding and efforts should be made to prevent businesses from having no recourse but to close because of the pandemic.
“The amount of restaurants that are closing ... it’s insane,” Pruett said. “They should be lessening some of the regulations.”
“What drives me crazy is she’s talking about the past,” the GOP candidate said. “What are you going to do about the future? How are you going to help these businesses back on their feet?”
Pruett said Scanlon’s focus should be elsewhere.
“It was just kind of bizarre,” she said. “The funds that she was talking about is everything that came from somewhere else ... She’s basically tooting her own horn.”
Scanlon, in the meantime, instructed constituents to call her office should they need assistance.
“Supporting organizations dedicated to public service and supporting our regional economy has been an honor,” she said, “and I encourage any business or constituent in my district who is applying for a federal grant or contract to contact our office at 610-626-2020 so we can help you.”
“I take seriously the obligation we have as public servants to fight for the resources my constituents need and to protect the programs they depend on to grow and thrive. It is the privilege of a lifetime to represent our community in Congress — I’ll never stop fighting for families and children.”
— U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5 of Swarthmore