Rep. Schweikert celebrates solar project but slams Inflation Reduction Act that made it possible

Rep. David Schweikert voted against the Inflation Reduction Act and has repeatedly criticized it as an “Orwellian-named” law that he says doesn’t reduce inflation and disproportionately benefits foreign companies.

But in June, the Arizona Republican sent his staff to a groundbreaking ceremony at American Legion Post #58 in Fountain Hills for a solar project that was made possible entirely through the IRA.

“The structure will use American-made steel and is expected to generate $400,000 of electricity in its lifetime service to future generations of veterans,” Schweikert said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The legislation, signed Aug. 16, 2022, by President Joe Biden, is the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history, with hundreds of billions of dollars available for a variety of projects.

Schweikert voted against the act, and he voted in April for the "Limit, Save, Grow" act that would have repealed the clean-energy measures in the IRA had it become law.

The American Legion Post benefits from the 10-year extension on federal tax credits for solar embedded in the IRA, and changes in that tax credit that for the first time allow municipalities, Native American tribes and other entities that don’t have tax liability, such as the Legion, to get the same financial benefit from the solar tax credit as taxpaying entities.

Representatives of the American Legion Post told the Fountain Hills Times Independent they expect to save nearly $200,000 over the 25-year life of the solar panels. They said that without the IRA, the nonprofit couldn't use solar to realize those savings, and that the act was a “gift from above.”

The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization.

A spokesperson for the congressman said Schweikert was supporting veterans, not the IRA, with that tweet.

“Congressman Schweikert is, and always has been, a proud supporter of America’s veterans, American-made products, and a strong and prosperous American economy,” Communications Director Hunter Lovell said in a statement to The Arizona Republic. “That support has nothing to do with any particular piece of legislation.” 

Other Congress members called out for hypocrisy

In August, the Environmental Defense Fund celebrated the IRA and its predecessor, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for the investments they are drawing to Arizona.

The state is expecting $10.8 billion to be invested in new clean-energy factories making batteries and related goods, nearly all of which were announced after the two laws were signed. They are anticipated to bring 11,400 new jobs to the state if all are completed.

Several Republicans who voted against the Inflation Reduction Act and the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have been challenged for appearing to take credit for the benefits the act brought to constituents.

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, for example, tweeted June 27 that it was “Great to see Alabama receive crucial funds to boost ongoing broadband efforts” related to funding the state was getting from the IRA. Readers on X added context to that note, explaining that Tuberville had voted against the infrastructure bill that led to that funding.

Tuberville’s staff explained the apparent juxtaposition similarly to Schweikert's staff, saying he was applauding the investment in his state.

Biden responded to Tuberville’s tweet, saying he would see the Republican at the groundbreaking.

Arizona was allocated nearly $1 billion for broadband through the portion of the act Tuberville was referencing, money that can be used for grants to expand high-speed online service.

“What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now — you will, thanks to President Biden and his commitment to investing in America,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said when the awards were announced in June.

Evergreen Action, a Seattle-based advocacy group that supports legislation to combat climate change, called out such statements from members of Congress who opposed the act back in February, saying those lawmakers like to "vote no, but take the dough."

“Republican hypocrites lining up to discreetly take credit for the successes of the IRA are just more evidence that this bill is delivering for the American people,” Elizabeth Cavalieri, Evergreen Action deputy press secretary, said in a news release at the time. “Beyond being wildly popular, the IRA’s investments in clean energy and climate are bringing investments, jobs, and climate justice to corners of this country desperately in need, no matter what party you belong to."

Her statement came after the Wall Street Journal reported that many of the green-energy projects enabled by the act were located in states where members of Congress opposed the IRA.

Schweikert's district is among Arizona's wealthiest and includes Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills and sections of north Phoenix.

It is likely to be the state's most competitive district in 2024, as it was during the 2022 midterm elections when Schweikert narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Jevin Hodge.

Democrats that entered the race for Schweikert’s seat in 2024 include: Andrei Cherny, former CEO of Aspiration, a financial services company; Andrew Horne, an orthodontist; Kurt Kroemer, a former local executive with American Red Cross and Make-A-Wish; state Rep. Amish Shah, an emergency room and sports medicine doctor; Marlene Galán-Woods, a former television journalist; and Conor O'Callaghan, managing director at BTIG.

Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @UtilityReporter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Rep. Schweikert praises solar project, voted against bill