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Since the CARES Act expired in July, Americans have been hung out to dry on the COVID pandemic. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has struggled to assemble a coalition of Republicans to vote on any meaningful legislation to extend financial support to the struggling US economy. This week, McConnell announced the Senate would move to vote on a “skinny” version of a relief bill.
However, it is unclear if this version of the bill has any chance of being passed in the Senate. McConnell’s “skinny” bill has no direct payments to citizens, something that was supported by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
It also comes in $500 billion short of Republicans’ original proposal, and over $2 trillion short of what Democrats were wanting to spend.
McConnell’s introduction of the “skinny” version of the bill led to swift criticism online. On Twitter, McConnell’s official account has been bombarded by the hashtag “Mitch Better Have my Money”.
The Senate is finally back, but Republicans presented a plan that cuts unemployment benefits by $300. We need better.#ExtendUI #SaveThe600 #MitchBetterHaveMyMoneyhttps://t.co/jVERKouI6n
— Unemployed Action (@unemployaction) September 9, 2020
People struggling to make ends meet during the COVID crisis have expressed how livid they are with the Senate Majority Leader’s slow action on the pandemic. Many see McConnell as the primary force blocking a new relief bill from coming through for Americans.
Part of the frustration comes from the timing of the bill’s introduction. Senate Republicans just returned from a month-long recess, where they voted on no bills and no progress was made with the relief bill. Upon returning, they offered up a slim bill that helped the least people. Senate Democrats, as well as Democrats in the House, have called the bill a “non-starter”.
Democrats have no appetite for a “skinny” relief bill. Many favor a big, fat relief bill, to the tune of their $3 trillion HEROES Act, which passed the House in May but has languished in the Senate, with McConnell refusing to bring it forward for a vote.
Democrats have called for the “skinny” bill to be carried out of congress in a vinyl zipper bag. They’re currently in a strong position to deny any spending bill that doesn’t suit their policy agenda. Since McConnell is the Majority Leader, the onus is on Republicans to move meaningful legislation forward. As Americans struggle with the pandemic, Democrats know that Republicans will be blamed for deadlock over the bill.
As such, their strategy makes sense. However, it is cold comfort for Americans who are begging for some form of relief to help them through the rough economic downturn caused by COVID.
