House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Sunday that President Biden’s first 100 days in office amounted to a “bait and switch,” and accused the president of pushing policies that were to the left of those he promised during the campaign.
In an interview with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday,” McCarthy argued that Biden had promised to govern as a “moderate” during the campaign, while instead acting like a “socialist” since taking office.
“If I look at the 100 days, it’s more of a bait and switch,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said that despite promising bipartisanship, Biden has not met with him or spoken to him since taking office.
“I have not met with the president one time, nor had one conversation,” McCarthy said.
Asked by Wallace about Biden’s promise to work with Republicans on pushes for big infrastructure proposals and COVID-19 relief during his campaign, McCarthy contended that little of either bills truly addressed their stated purposes and instead amounted to spending for Democratic priorities.
“Less than 6 percent in the infrastructure package goes to infrastructure,” McCarthy said.
Of Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan, the GOP House leader added: “I don’t think that will be popular” once people learn what it entails.
McCarthy’s comments come ahead of Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress this week marking the president’s first 100 days in office. Biden heads into the week with above-water approval ratings on issues including the COVID-19 pandemic while facing opposition over the growing problems facing the U.S. immigration system.