Fox News "The Ingraham Angle" - Transcript: Interview with Lindsey Graham
Interview
INGRAHAM: The Biden White House is jubilant over its infrastructure
framework, calling it historic. So why the 17 Republicans who voted to
advance the bill, throwing Biden a lifeline? Here now is one of those 17
Republicans, Senator Lindsey Graham.
Senator, this is a trillion-dollar bill. At a time we're facing massive
inflation, other pressures and President Trump said, you guys have made a
terrible deal that Republicans are big losers here, and that the Democrats
are the big winners. So why is he wrong?
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): I think he's wrong, because he had a bill for
$1.7 trillion infrastructure spending, which I support. We can never get it
done. This is $1.2 trillion for roads, bridges and ports. And if you don't
think we've got a road bridge and port problem, you're not looking at
America the way it is. The $3.5 trillion bill they want to fall on with is
socialism.
But count me in for road, bridges and ports paid for. I understand what I'm
for, and I understand what I'm against. And I think America--
INGRAHAM: You think it's the same economy? You think this is the same
economy as it was when President Trump was in office? That inflationary
pressures that we're seeing today have no effect on the spending and that
this is not a glide path to make at least $3 trillion of spending possible?
It gives a huge win to the White House. They're thrilled.
GRAHAM: Yes. I really don't believe that at all (inaudible) We're spending
the money in [ph] and out years. There is deinflationary. We're putting
money aside for an eight-year road bridge, port plan to upgrade, what I
just said, that doesn't create inflation. What creates inflation is the
$3.5 trillion bill.
INGRAHAM: What are you going to get?
GRAHAM: That's just government spending with tax increases. I don't know.
We'll see. I see many differ on this. I think America needs infrastructure
and forward. I think America doesn't need socialism. I'm against it.
INGRAHAM: But why don't you senator, why don't you - but Senator, why
didn't you do what Pelosi played hardball, and you guys rolled over? Why
didn't you say we'll vote on infrastructure once you show your hand on the
$3.5 trillion? Why are we giving the leverage to the Democrats on the
process?
Pelosi is like, we're not doing that. We're doing it the other way. And you
guys are like, ok. We'll just do the reinfrastructure first.
GRAHAM: Yes. I think you nailed something. So follow this. It's going to
pass the Senate with Democratic and Republican support, the $3.5 trillion
bill won't get any Republican support. What does Nancy Pelosi do? Does she
hold that bipartisan bill hostage? Does she give the $3.5 trillion
socialist wish list? Good luck with that, Nancy. She's going to merge the
two bills. And I think it collapses in the house. It'd be a shame if we
can't do something good for America, because she wants $3.5 trillion
dollars to socialize the country. We'll see how this plays out in the
house.
INGRAHAM: So you think the order of these bills was correct? Doing the
infrastructure first, and then letting them tackle the $3.5 trillion, which
she said, that's not going to apply? OK.
GRAHAM: In the Senate, I think Sinema and Manchin are going to be less
likely to do a $3.5 trillion bill if we can do a bipartisan bill for $1
trillion dedicated to real infrastructure. We will see how that plays out.
I think Nancy Pelosi is making a big mistake. She's going to insist the
socialist bill pass first. Good luck with that. And she's going to throw
the bipartisan bill all over and hold it hostage. And I hope Kevin McCarthy
will hold the troops and say we are not going to play that game.
INGRAHAM: Senator, we hope it works out that way.
GRAHAM: Hang in there. Hang in there.
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