GOP congressman blames Biden for All-Star Game fallout during Cobb County visit

 A small group of Cobb County business owners had a lunch meeting with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, Tuesday at Marietta Diner.

Rep. McCarthy made the visit to learn about the impact of Major League Baseball's decision to relocate the All-Star Game from Truist Park because of Georgia's new election law.

Business owners said the move was particularly disappointing because they are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"I had already talked to a hotel about catering for the teams coming in and all of the parents and kids and that went on the wayside," said Sandra Cook who owns Catered Southern Events. "It's just really a sad situation that you get slapped in the face again."  

McCarthy blamed MLB's decision on President Joe Biden, who was vocal about his opposition to the law.  

RELATED: MLB moving All-Star Game from Atlanta in response to voting law

"I wish Major League Baseball would look at the faces. I wish this administration would come here and listen to these voices, because they encouraged the team to leave. They encouraged the game to be played somewhere else," Rep. McCarthy said.

Georgia's Democratic Party, however, pushed back on McCarthy's effort to pin the decision on Biden.

"Republicans hope these theatrics will distract from the fact that it was GOP legislation — passed by Republicans in the State House and State Senate and signed by a Republican governor – that forced companies to pull major economic projects out of Georgia due to nationwide fallout from the disastrous new Jim Crow law," spokesperson Rebecca Galanti said in a statement. "If these Republicans really cared about small businesses, they would not have voted against the American Rescue Plan and its crucial relief that’s helping small businesses across Georgia keep their doors open."

"Republicans, and no one else, own all the repercussions of SB 202. Meanwhile, Democrats will continue passing legislation supporting small businesses and urging companies to remain in Georgia to help fight Republicans’ egregious voter suppression campaign."

Rep. McCarthy argued the issue should be nonpartisan.

"For a lot of people that get an All-Star Game, that's Christmas for their business.  That helps them go on to other months. I think Major League Baseball should find a way to make it up to this community, said Rep. McCarthy.  

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