Thread by @kgosztola

Happy hour is over. Time for a critical livestreamed coronavirus legislative update from Bernie Sanders:

Thread.

Bernie Sanders says there are items in stimulus bill that he deeply dislikes. Items that are not in it. Graham and 3 GOP senators are trying to undermine the bill. #coronavirus

Bernie says he cannot imagine there is any bill that can get through the White House and Senate that is not laden with corporate welfare. #coronavirus

Bernie: I suspect that right now all across this country people are asking their selves how does it happen that in the richest country in the world ... how is it possible doctors and nurses do not have kind of masks they need to protect themselves? #coronavirus

Bernie: There is something wrong that we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee health care as a human right. #coronavirus

Bernie: And how does it happen that so many are living in economic desperation and are frightened about what next weeks will bring? #coronavirus

Bernie: "I have insisted as have many progressives that this is time in which we have got to spend what it takes."

Coronavirus 3 package is not going to be last package. Expect there will be a fourth package.

Worth $2 trillion, not to mention trillions to be spent by Fed.

Bernie: Weekly unemployment benefits will increase by $600, if you are laid off. Increased above what it otherwise would've been. #coronavirus

Bernie: Expansion of unemployment will include part-time workers, gig workers, tipped workers, and self-employed, who would otherwise not be covered by unemployment insurance. #coronavirus

Bernie: Bill provides $250 billion to go out in one-time checks - $1200 for adults, $500 checks

I wanted $2,000/month that we continue to exist during crisis. #coronavirus

Bernie says cash payments will now pay out to poor families, where it previously excluded them #coronavirus

Bernie says $267 billion will go out in loans to small businesses who do not layoff their workers.

European countries are getting right by saying 80 percent or more of salaries will be covered if you keep workers on payrolls. #coronavirus

Bernie: $150 billion will be provided to states and cities that are in desperate need of cash infusion to respond to the crisis

Plus, $100 billion for reimbursing hospitals losing revenue from responding to #coronavirus pandemic

Bernie: Beyond belief that Donald Trump has not utilized the Defense Production Act.

[From early days of crisis, Bernie has been hitting this issue hard - urging ramped up production of personal protective equipment for hospitals.] #coronavirus

Bernie: If you can find a test, you can get it free of charge. But if god forbid you are diagnosed with coronavirus, you're on your own.

Republicans would not fund coverage for treatment

Bernie: Over $7 billion for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs

Says he worries about most vulnerable people and this bill doesn't do near enough for them #coronavirus

Bernie: Workers deemed "essential" during #coronavirus crisis will be eligible for child care grant money. $3.5 billion in the bill.

Bernie: $16 billion for veterans, including funds for veterans who tested positive for coronavirus

Funds will go toward homeless veterans and veterans in nursing homes #coronavirus

Bernie: One of many aspects of country that worries me a whole lot is millions and millions of kids are not in school.

No question that public schools, private schools, higher education are in lot of trouble as a result of #coronavirus

Bernie: $25 billion provided for public transit systems

People not using public transit are causing substantial financial crisis as systems lose streams of revenue #coronavirus

Bernie: $500 billion for business loans to be distributed by Treasury Department. Most problematic provision of bill.

Recall 2008 during Wall Street bailout, there was blank check written for financial institutions #coronavirus

Bernie: Bill is better than Wall Street bailout bill but very, very concerned loans will go out to corporate world without oversight that is needed

We do not need to provide massive corporate welfare to profitable corporations. #coronavirus

Bernie: Airlines spent money on stock buybacks and lo and behold in this crisis they need a bailout. #coronavirus

Bernie suggests Trump administration and GOP will use the slush fund for businesses to help Trump's re-election prospects by giving to corporate executives in return for their support. #coronavirus

Bernie notes the slush fund for corporations cannot go toward any Trump properties or any businesses linked to Pence. There is language that discourages stock buybacks, yet Bernie says there is a waiver that concerns me. #coronavirus

Bernie warn oversight panel is probably not good enough to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. #coronavirus

Bernie: Vote on stimulus bill will come late tonight or tomorrow. It is not bill he would've written, but stronger and better than bill that was Wall Street bailout after economic collapse. Working people, hospitals, cities and counties will get funds. #coronavirus

Bernie: Extremely important that we try to understand how we got to where we are today and the need to bring about fundamental reform of American society.

My belief instead of having government based on greed & corruption we need justice. End unfettered capitalism #coronavirus

Bernie: Do our best taking on Trump and Republican Senate, but goal is to create America that works for all of us and not just few and the powerful. #coronavirus

I'll continue to live tweet Bernie Sanders' town halls and any updates during the crisis, as networks like CNN and MSNBC refuse to air even parts of important statements from influential member of Democratic leadership in Senate.