(Headline USA) House Democrats have canceled their plan to provide all staffers with Peloton fitness memberships after backlash from Republicans, according to a new report.
Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, confirmed on Wednesday that the House chief administrative officer has decided to back out of the deal with Peloton, following criticism that the plan was a waste of taxpayer dollars.
“It’s not happening,” Ryan said.
A report earlier this week showed the House Center for Well-Being had drafted an email announcing that all staff members and U.S. Capitol police officers would be eligible for Peloton memberships “at no monthly cost” starting this week. But the email never went out, according to The Hill.
However, one committee aide said House Democrats had already made a purchase order prior to the deal being nixed.
The draft email said staffers would “have access to thousands of live and on-demand classes, across multiple disciplines, that are available for streaming across multiple devices and require no purchase of Peloton equipment.”
There are an estimated 10,000 people on staff working for the House of Representatives, and about 2,300 Capitol Police officers.
In total, if all 12,000 people in the House use this benefit, it would have cost taxpayers $120,000 a month.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was one of the Republicans who spoke out against the plan.
“The Speaker may not be worried about this costly new program, but American families should sweat it,” he said.
“It comes as families are getting crushed by the worst inflation in 40 years. It is insane. It’s also redundant.
“Members and staff already have access to a Congressional gym for a membership fee,” he said.
“The Peloton perk does not replace it. Instead, it duplicates it. I’d like to see any Democrat go to their district, my district, anyone else’s district, and defend this.”
