Concord, N.H. — Chris Sununu is flailing to defend his unpopular decision to side with the Kochs and Washington Republicans and obstruct President Biden’s COVID relief bill, which will bring billions of dollars in federal relief to Granite Staters hurt by the pandemic.

For months, Sununu maintained that he didn’t want any federal funding for New Hampshire. Now, Sununu is saying he would vote against President Biden’s relief bill and is making false claims about how the money will be distributed.

President Biden’s COVID relief bill gives New Hampshire more money per capita than the CARES Act, and New Hampshire is ranked 12th for getting the most money per capita of all states. The bill is also incredibly popular among voters. According to a Morning Consult/Politico poll, 76% of voters support Biden’s stimulus plan — including 60% of Republicans — but Sununu would still vote no. 

By voting no on the COVID relief bill, Sununu would be voting against $1,400 in direct payments to individuals and dependents, extending expanded unemployment insurance, expanding tax credits for families and for employers who offer paid leave, funding for state and local government aid, testing and vaccine activities, schools, restaurants, small business, child care, affordable housing, and more.

“Chris Sununu is engaging in a pathetic attempt to defend his wildly unpopular position — pushed by Washington Republicans and the Kochs — opposing much-needed additional relief for New Hampshire families, small businesses, schools, health care providers, and cities and towns,” said New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley. “Voters will remember that while our federal delegation worked tirelessly to get Granite Staters the relief they need, Sununu and the Republican Party did whatever they could to block necessary funding for New Hampshire during a global pandemic.”