San Antonio Rep. Chip Roy mocks coronavirus relief bill in since-deleted tweet

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district encompasses parts of north San Antonio, voted against a coronavirus relief package that passed the House on Saturday. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district encompasses parts of north San Antonio, voted against a coronavirus relief package that passed the House on Saturday. Photo: John Davenport / San Antonio Express-News Photo: John Davenport / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close San Antonio Rep. Chip Roy mocks coronavirus relief bill in since-deleted tweet 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district encompasses parts of north San Antonio, voted against a coronavirus relief package that passed the House on Saturday.

Roy mocked the bill on Twitter. He eventually deleted the tweet, but not before his opponent in the November election nabbed a screenshot.

The legislation, now under consideration in the Senate, would provide paid sick leave, unemployment insurance to those who lose jobs during the pandemic, and give Texas a Medicaid boost estimated in the billions.

Roy was one of six Texas Republicans who voted against the bill, protesting that they were given little time to review the 110-page bill.

A former federal prosecutor, Roy appeared to take issue with the content of the legislation as well.

"The only thing missing from the #PelosiDeal is free toilet paper for all," he wrote on Twitter, alongside a picture of a claw machine stocked with toilet paper.

On ExpressNews.com: Bill to provide paid sick leave, other benefits during coronavirus pandemic moves to Senate

Wendy Davis, the Democrat challenging Roy in the 21st District of Texas, shared a picture of his deleted tweet.

"The Internet doesn't forget," Davis wrote. "Nor will voters when they find out you voted against bipartisan legislation addressing this growing health and economic crisis."

👋@chiproytx



I see you tried to delete this tweet below



Unfortunately for you, the internet doesn't forget



Nor will voters when they find out you voted against bipartisan legislation addressing this growing health and economic crisis#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/j34Yo7Fq0k — Wendy Davis (@wendydavis) March 14, 2020

The bill passed the House on a 363-40 vote.

Roy expanded on his opposition to the legislation in an Op-Ed for The Federalist. He noted that the bill exempts businesses over 500 from providing paid sick leave, putting a large burden on small businesses, and was to be paid later through tax credits.

"In short, it does no good to mandate 'paid leave' from a job that doesn't exist because the business went under," Roy wrote.

The Senate is expected to take up the legislation Tuesday.