Currents News Staff
Americans hit hard by COVID-19’s economic impact have gone from disappointed to desperate.
One Kentucky man felt the economic impact directly.
“When it hit, I lost my job. So it took me like a month to get another job,” he said. “This is my check, but I ain’t making it with $300.”
Senators will return to Capitol Hill after Labor Day, likely taking another look at stimulus legislation meant to ease the pain. As regular citizens navigate the devastation, Republicans and Democrats remain oceans apart. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnel says the timing remains uncertain.
“All I can tell you at the moment is, we’re at a stalemate, so I don’t know if we’re going to get another package here in the next few weeks or not,” Sen. McConnell said.
Democrats suggested a multi-trillion dollar relief bill, but Republicans won’t sign off on the cost and propose smaller legislation to fund schools, small businesses, and scaled-back federal unemployment benefits.
Democrats accuse Republicans of ignoring the totality of the crisis.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote to his colleagues, “Republicans may call their proposal ‘skinny,’ but it would be more appropriate to call it ’emaciated.'”
South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn hopes to find an answer.
“Secretary Mnuchin, I hope you will return the negotiating table and be prepared to find common cause on legislation that meets the pressing needs of Americans,” said Rep. Clyburn.
Adding pressure to the situation, the budget deadline is at the end of the month. If they can’t agree on a deal to fund the government, lawmakers will face yet another shutdown.