Ted Lieu 'Glad' Dr. Seuss Books 'Cancelled,' Democrats Focused on Stimulus Checks

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) has questioned how much Americans care about several Dr. Seuss books ceasing to be published and said the focus of Democrats is on passing more stimulus checks.

Six books by Dr. Seuss will no longer be published by Dr. Seuss Enterprises due to containing racist and insensitive imagery, the Associated Press reported on Monday—which was Read Across America Day, and also the late author's birthday.

In his Read Across America Day proclamation, Biden did not mention Dr. Seuss as previous presidents have in the past.

This situation has sparked some criticism on social media, including comments from several Republican lawmakers. They questioned what they deemed attempts to "cancel" Dr. Seuss.

Commenting on the situation on Twitter, Lieu wrote: "Do ordinary Americans care about the 6 relatively unknown Dr. Seuss books that the publisher is no longer going to publish? No.

"That's why Dems are focused on stimulus checks. And since one of the Dr. Seuss books made fun of my ethnicity, I'm glad the free market cancelled it."

His tweet was in response to a post from New York Times opinion columnist Ezra Klein, who questioned the GOP's reaction to the Dr. Seuss books situation coming as Democrats move to pass a $1.9 trillion relief bill.

Lieu similarly suggested the decision on the books ceasing to be published was down to "the free market" in a separate tweet.

In a statement, Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press: "These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong. Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises' catalog represents and supports all communities and families."

The six books which will cease to be published are And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat's Quizzer.

Lieu's comments come as Democrats continue to push on with their COVID-19 relief plans using the reconciliation process, which could mean the measures get through without any Republican support.

The House passed a bill including a round of $1,400 stimulus checks last week. This will now be considered in the Senate, with debate on this due to begin this week.

Through the reconciliation process, this would only need a simple majority to pass the upper chamber. This means the Democrats could pass it without any Republican support, if its caucus is united behind the plans.

Newsweek has contacted Lieu's office for comment.