In response to today’s unemployment numbers which show more than 700,000 Americans filed for unemployment last week, Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room Director Zac Petkanas released the following statement:
“These crisis level unemployment figures are nothing short of an economic emergency that should have the outgoing Trump Administration and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell falling over themselves to fix.
“Instead, they are patting themselves on the back after more than 700,000 Americans filed for jobless claims last week, continuing an eight month trend of weekly numbers that rival the worst days of the Great Recession.
“Let’s be clear: this economic catastrophe is the direct result of Trump’s failure to contain the virus and McConnell allowing a relief package to languish since House Democrats passed legislation in May.
“The time for Washington games is over. Trump, McConnell and Senate Republicans need to spend less time spinning conspiracy theories on TV about the election and join House Democrats in passing relief, including direct stimulus checks, expanded unemployment benefits, assistance for renters and homeowners, and aid to local and state governments in Red and Blue states to prevent mass layoffs of essential workers like teachers and firefighters.
“American families are struggling to put food on the table, keep roofs over their heads, and make ends meet at the end of the month. It’s beyond time that Republicans stop putting politics first and actually do something that would help someone other than Donald Trump’s ego.”