On the day before the Fourth of July, MAGA-aligned U.S. Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX) told MeidasTouch, “We gotta put a bedsheet, a big bedsheet over the Statue of Liberty,” and proposed a ten-year moratorium on immigration.
Nehls said, “No more. We have to get this under control,” asserting that “tens of millions” of people came to the United States illegally during the Biden administration.
Nehls added that the Statue of Liberty “needs to go to bed for a little while,” and suggested that her torch be replaced with a handheld stop sign.
Republican Congressman Troy Nehls:
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 2, 2026
We gotta put a big bed sheet over the Statue of Liberty. 10 year moratorium on immigration. She gotta go to sleep for a while. Instead of having a torch, maybe it needs a stop sign. pic.twitter.com/jgQlROZqbJ
Nehls also contended that affordability is not a real issue for Americans, responding to a poll that showed about 60 percent of Americans were struggling with affordability.
Nehls said, “Affordability? What are you talking about?” As evidence that the crisis was exaggerated, Nehls said this weekend, over the Fourth of July, “I’m gonna get me a couple of big lobster tails and I’m gonna get me some nice rib eyes,” and shook off the increased cost of gas as “a temporary issue.”
This is why people built guillotines.
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) July 2, 2026
GOP Rep. Troy Nehls, when asked about 60% of Americans struggling with affordability: "Affordability? What are you talking about?… I'm gonna get me a couple of big lobster tails. I'm gonna get me some nice rib eyes… Maybe the 60% of… pic.twitter.com/zTpdEsA6qK
When asked if he thinks 60 percent of Americans living paycheck to paycheck can afford lobster tails and rib eyes, Nehls replied, “Maybe not. Maybe the 60 percent of America don’t work as hard as I do.”
[NOTE: Nehls earns an annual base salary of $174,000, the standard pay rate for Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.]
AFL-CIO delegate Kasey Helton replied to Nehls’ comments: “My husband is busting his [expletive] today in a steel mill in 90+ degree heat 60 hours a week all summer long and I’ll be at my job on July 4 at the hospital while you enjoy your holiday you starchy shirted [expletive]. Tell me we don’t work as hard as you.”
