While Trying to Tank Pelosi-Mnuchin Negotiations, McConnell Tries to Pass Stunt COVID Bill That Would Make Things Worse

Cuts Supplemental Unemployment Insurance in Half

No Relief for Renters, Homeowners

No Direct $1,200 Stimulus Payments

Doesn’t Meet Experts’ Recommendations for Investments in Testing, Contact Tracing

As the pandemic’s third wave rips through the country, Mitch McConnell worked to tank the Pelosi-Mnuchin negotiations on a real COVID relief package and instead held a stunt vote to try and pass his own version of a COVID bill which does next to nothing on testing, contact tracing, unemployment insurance, assistance for renters and homeowners, or stimulus checks.

It’s yet another step in his larger effort to undercut any meaningful relief package being considered in Pelosi-Mnuchin negotiations.

In response, Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room Director Zac Petkanas released the following statement: 

“From day one, Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell have been trying to sabotage relief for families struggling with the economic and health consequences of the coronavirus crisis.

“Families trying to make their way through this crisis need extended unemployment benefits, communities need funding for testing and contact tracing to continue battling outbreaks, and schools need support to adapt. 

“This joke of a bill does none of that. 

“Instead, it’s a transparent political theatre by McConnell to divert attention from the reports he’s secretly urging the White House to walk away from the real negotiations. 

“Once again, Senate Republicans are turning their back on the American people in their time of need, which they’ve done during every step of this process.”

McConnell’s Senate Floor Stunt Bill Does Not Come Close to Providing the Support Americans Need During the Pandemic

• The Relief Package Proposed By Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Is More Than $1 Trillion Less Than What Is Being Proposed By Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi. “The Senate Majority leader had previously said he wouldn’t support a bill as expensive (somewhere between $1.8 trillion and $2.2 trillion) as what Pelosi and Mnuchin are discussing. On Wednesday, the Republican-led Senate is planning another vote on a new $500 billion relief package.” [Forbes, 10/20/20]
• Republicans Are Bringing Back Their “Skinny” Stimulus Bill From September, After A Single-Issue Proposal Failed To Pass. “The Senate tried on Tuesday [Oct. 21] advanced a single-issue proposal to extend payroll assistance for businesses, but it faltered. Senate Republicans will try again later today, when they bring back their $500 billion ‘skinny’ bill from September for a vote. That legislation is not expected to become law either.” [CNET, 10/21/20]
• The GOP’s Bill Does Not  Offer Funding To Cash-Strapped States And Localities. “The so-called ‘skinny’ bill… doesn’t offer new funding for cash-strapped states, which Democrats support.” [CNN, 9/8/20]
• The GOP’s Relief Bill Does Not Include $1,200 Direct Payments To Struggling Americans. “On Wednesday, Trump’s GOP allies in the Senate are slated to support a revote on a virus proposal with a net cost of about $500 billion, though it does not include the $1,200 direct payments.” [Associated Press, 10/21/20]
• The GOP’s Relief Bill Does Not Provide Support For Rental And Mortgage Assistance. “‘It does not contain every idea our party likes. I am confident Democrats will feel the same,’ McConnell said. ‘Yet Republicans believe the many serious differences between our two parties should not stand in the way of agreeing where we can agree and making law that helps our nation.’ Among the things left out: an additional round of stimulus checks and rental and mortgage assistance, which also lapsed at the end of July.” [CPR, 9/8/20]
• The GOP’s Bill Slashes Enhanced Unemployment Benefits By Half To $300 Dollars A Week. “[The bill] would offer federal unemployment benefits of $300 through the week ending December 27, half of what Congress included in its March coronavirus relief package. Payments would be retroactive to the end of July, when the original $600 weekly supplement expired.” [CNN, 9/8/20]
• The GOP’s Bill Reserves Two-Thirds Of School Funding For Schools That Reopen For In-Person Instruction — Despite The Fact That The United States Is Experiencing A Surge In New Cases. “[The bill] would provide $105 billion in education funds, about two-thirds of which would be reserved for schools that reopen for in-person instruction.” [CNN, 9/8/20]
• The GOP’s Bill Includes Liability Protections For Employers And Corporations If Their Employees Contract The Virus While At Work. “[The bill] would provide protections for employers against liability in any coronavirus-related lawsuits brought by workers. Employers would not be held liable unless workers’ claims met a stringent test. The bill states they must provide ‘clear and convincing evidence’ that 1) the employer was not ‘making reasonable efforts’ to comply with the latest pandemic-related safety guidance and standards; 2) that the employer was grossly negligent or willfully did something that caused ‘actual’ exposure to the coronavirus; and 3) that the ‘actual’ exposure caused personal injury to the workers.” [CNN, 9/8/20]
• The GOP Bill Provides Liability Protections For Health Care Providers. “[The bill] would protect health care providers from coronavirus-related liability actions unless the plaintiffs can prove gross negligence or willful misconduct. Also, resource or staffing shortages would not be considered willful misconduct or gross negligence.” [CNN, 9/8/20]

SIDE BY SIDE: House HEROES Act Supports Struggling Families While GOP Bill Falls Short