As a Senate candidate in 2022, JD Vance vocally opposed a bipartisan infrastructure law that allocated over $1 trillion for the United States’ deteriorating infrastructure, labeling it a “huge mistake.” He criticized the legislation as a product of Democratic spending priorities, which he claimed focused on “absurd initiatives” funded by taxpayer dollars.
However, since taking office as a U.S. Senator for Ohio, Vance has pivoted significantly. He is now actively pursuing over $200 million in federal funds made available through this very law for various projects across Ohio, as revealed by documents obtained from the Associated Press.
Vance is not alone among Republicans who have condemned spending enacted under President Joe Biden while later benefiting from government-funded projects back home. Notably, his criticism also targeted former Senator Rob Portman, the Ohio Republican who authored the bill and whom Vance succeeded.
Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan, one of Vance’s rivals in the 2022 Republican primary and the only GOP candidate to support the infrastructure bill, commented on this inconsistency. “Candidates should campaign in alignment with how they govern so that voters know what to expect,” Dolan stated.
Parker Magid, a spokesperson for Vance, defended his actions by asserting that senators are elected to advocate for their constituents regardless of the party in power. He characterized the infrastructure bill as a “wish list” of detrimental policies but emphasized that Vance has effectively fought for legitimate funding for Ohio projects.
Tim Ryan, the former Democratic congressman who lost to Vance in the general election, criticized this shift as indicative of Vance’s overall duplicity. Ryan pointed out that Vance had previously described Donald Trump in extreme terms but later changed his stance when it no longer served him politically.
During Trump’s presidency, infrastructure plans were often discussed but never materialized into concrete proposals. This changed with Biden’s administration when a bipartisan group of senators, including Portman and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, negotiated a substantial infrastructure package that garnered support from both parties.
Vance had previously dismissed the legislation as wasteful and criticized its focus on racial justice initiatives. In August 2021, he tweeted about the bill’s references to “transportation equity,” claiming it introduced critical race theory into national infrastructure programs and argued that Republicans had been misled into supporting it.
In a subsequent CBS News interview, he expressed regret over bipartisanship efforts that he felt had granted Democrats an unearned victory. Despite acknowledging existing infrastructure issues, he was skeptical about whether the bill allocated funds appropriately.
Since assuming office in January 2023, Vance has shown an apparent willingness to embrace the legislation he once criticized. Between 2023 and 2024, he sent ten letters to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting more than $213 million for Ohio projects funded by this law. Records indicate that at least four of these projects received approval for approximately $130 million.
One significant project involves nearly $20 million allocated to revitalize a historically Black area in Toledo that was isolated from downtown due to Interstate 75 construction in the 1960s. Local officials described past planning decisions as “discriminatory,” emphasizing that these communities now face high rates of poverty and unemployment due to historical transportation policies.
Vance has previously mocked inquiries regarding historical bias in transportation planning but later acknowledged the potential benefits of the Toledo project while reiterating his opposition to what he perceives as an overemphasis on diversity and equity over practical infrastructure improvements.
In another instance, Vance sought $29 million for low-emission buses despite his vocal opposition to Democratic efforts aimed at reducing emissions. In a recent opinion piece, he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden’s support for zero-emission initiatives, arguing they hinder investment in essential energy sectors.
Dolan expressed relief at Vance’s apparent change of heart regarding the infrastructure bill. He noted that campaign rhetoric often diverges from governing responsibilities and emphasized that these two aspects should align.
Rejecting federal funding for political reasons would ultimately harm Ohioans, Dolan asserted.
Vance’s journey from critic to advocate raises questions about political consistency and accountability among elected officials. As he navigates his role as a U.S. senator and vice-presidential nominee, his actions will likely continue to attract scrutiny from both supporters and opponents alike.