Murphy smacks McConnell again, this time for being a moocher

Gov. Phil Murphy again slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for not helping New Jersey obtain federal dollars it needs.

“There are those in Washington, like Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, to pick a name, who don’t seem to get it,” Murphy said. “These are leaders from states that are are all too happy to spend the tax dollars of New Jerseyans on pork projects back home, but seemingly have no interest in helping states like New Jersey at this moment to avert a national economic catastrophe.”

According to Murphy, Kentuckians received $2.41 for every dollar sent to Washington, while New Jersey gets just $.90 back.

“Senator McConnell, good luck tapping New Jersey for your next project in Kentucky if New Jersey has nothing to give because you refuse to help us restart and recover,” Murphy said.

Murphy maintains that New Jersey needs “a significant federal investments in our states to allow for our recovery.”

“Without it there will be no recovery,” he said.  “Time is of the essence.”

Murphy praised U.S. Senator Bob Menendez for fighting for New Jersey, and celebrated Republicans who have helped the state: Governors Larry Hogan of Maryland and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana

“We have had Senator Menendez in the ring with us,” the governor said.  “He was one of the first to climb in and he’s been with us for every step of this fight, unlike anyone else I know.”

Menendez who joined Murphy at his daily press briefing in Trenton on Monday, also commended his fellow Democrat.

“The decisions he has made have saved lives,” Menendez stated. “Governor Murphy was ahead of the curve.”

Menendez pushed back on legislators who view emergencies through partisan lenses.

“This isn’t a blue state or a red state issue, this is an American issue,” Menendez explained. “When I vote for funding flooding in the Mississippi, wildfires in California, Hurricane Katrina, I never asked whether it was a red or blue state.”

As Menendez left Trenton to head back to the Senate, Murphy gave him some advice.

“Give ‘em hell in Washington,” the governor said.