A new chapter in the continuing story of Republican hypocrisy when it comes to spending the stimulus money that they voted against ... check that ... that they crowed about voting against at every opportunity:
Utah Republican Sen. Bob Bennett voted against the $787 billion economic stimulus package in February, declaring the day it passed that "the only thing this bill will stimulate is the national debt."
Two days earlier, however, Bennett had written to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agriculture Department seeking stimulus money for Utah, according to copies of the letters released under the Freedom of Information Act. Using 16 identical cover letters, Bennett passed along stimulus funding requests from 14 Utah cities and counties totaling $182.5 million.
"I recognize the extensive demands being placed on these funds and, therefore, greatly appreciate any funding considerations you give to the projects of Utah," the letters said.
Oh, and adding insult to injury hypocrisy:
Five of the 17 local governments whose requests Bennett sent to the agencies have hired American Capitol Group, a lobbying firm where former Bennett staffer Tim Stewart is a top executive, Senate lobbying reports show.
Apparently Bennett decided to stimulate something besides the national debt.