From what I’ve seen from the Republican proposal released last night, one thing is clear – if enacted, it would be an economic catastrophe for America and a disaster for middle-class families and essential workers.
Republicans want to offer struggling workers who have lost their job—through no fault of their own—2/3 less additional UI than @SenateDems. The economic crisis will continue until we get the public health crisis under control. In the meantime, people need real help.
It would be a huge mistake to slash assistance by the amount proposed by Republicans. Working families across this country who currently have no job to return to need these benefits to help them afford their rent, pay for health care during a pandemic and put food on the table.
The massive demand shock of cutting supplemental unemployment benefits by 2/3, and the failure to provide additional funding and support to state and local governments, will cause an enormous drop in consumer demand and spending. We’re talking even MORE economic pain.
For months Democrats have been calling for much needed increases to #SNAP. The Republican proposal callously refuses to entertain additional SNAP benefits for families who are literally deciding whether to pay their mortgage, buy groceries or pay for medications for their kids.
This legislation also ignores the crisis in our nursing homes. According to NYT, 59k residents & workers in nursing homes & other long-term care settings have died because of this pandemic–40% of all deaths. These residents, workers & their families need help in this dark hour.
To add insult to injury, this past Sunday was the 30th anniv of the Americans with Disabilities Act which extended civil rights protections to people with disabilities. Republicans celebrated it on Sunday, and then put out a proposal that essentially wipes it from the books.
When Republicans are using COVID as an excuse to roll back hard-won civil rights protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it’s a pretty big clue that they aren’t exactly acting in good faith.
The Republican immunity proposal is a sweeping, unprecedented power grab to protect businesses and corporations at the expense of workers and consumers. Working families need help, but this is just a corporate get-out-of-jail free card.
Congratulations, @SenateGOP. Four days before expanded unemployment benefits officially expire nationwide, you've finally outlined your priority for the next #COVID19 stimulus package: helping corporations at the expense of working families. nytimes.com/2020/07/27/bus…
Democrats passed a bill more than two months ago extending unemployment insurance for struggling workers, food assistance, testing & tracing, and support for local gov'ts—which Republicans have ignored. Don't ask me about their “proposal.” Ask me about their complacency.
