"“It is outrageous, it is petty, and it is a complete abuse of the appropriations process,” U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) said in a statement after the vote. Congressional Republicans denied Grijalva's request for $650,000 in maintenance and restoration for the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee at an Agriculture subcommittee meeting late last week, The Tucson Sentinel reported. Grijalva says the decision was rooted in anti-LGBTQ+ bias because the library featured performers in drag."
"“Republicans didn't cut this funding over the merits of the project - they cut it to continue their assault on the trans community,” Grijalva said. “This funding was about basic repairs - fixing roofs, restoring floors, and ensuring a safe, functional space for the public in a rural community.” Of the nearly two dozen projects Grijalva submitted to the committee for funding, it was the only one rejected."
"The Copper Queen Library hosted two drag storytime hours, in 2019 and 2024. According to Grijalva's office, the funding request was not intended to cover any library programming or events. Nate Sigal, spokesman for Grijalva, said that Democratic committee staffers involved in vetting the proposal shared Republicans' reasons for denying the request."
"“The Republicans are now punishing a library for rightfully upholding the Constitution,” Grijalva said. House Republicans just ripped $650,000 away from the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee - money meant for basic repairs - because the library hosted two drag shows."
A U.S. congresswoman criticized House Republicans for denying $650,000 in maintenance and restoration funding for the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee. The denial followed the library’s hosting of two drag storytime hours in 2019 and 2024. The congresswoman said the rejection reflected anti-LGBTQ+ bias and was an abuse of the appropriations process. She stated the request covered basic repairs such as fixing roofs, restoring floors, and maintaining a safe, functional public space, not programming or events. She also said Democratic committee staffers reported that Republicans’ reasons for denial were tied to the library’s drag performances. The library funding was the only one among nearly two dozen requests submitted to be rejected.
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