While states were financially debilitated by the coronavirus pandemic, Sen. Josh Hawley said on Monday that Congress should not focus its attention on bailing out fiscally irresponsible state and local governments.

“Fiscally irresponsible states shouldn’t be using this as an opportunity to get free money from the taxpayer because it isn’t free,” the Republican Missouri lawmaker told “Fox & Friends.”

Hawley said that Congress should instead be focused “jobs and getting people back to work,” as the Senate resumes work on Monday on Capitol Hill. The Democrat-led House of Representatives remains out of session.

“All this talk about state and local bailouts is misguided,” Hawley said, adding he would like to see a payroll tax rebate to allow businesses the room to bring back workers.