As the deadly coronavirus pandemic circled the globe, Trump sycophant Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) donned a gas mask to mock the outbreak on the House floor. The U.S. is now the only industrialized country in the world without mass testing for coronavirus, but our elected officials seem to have had no problem getting tested. Gaetz, who came into contact with a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) attendee who tested positive for COVID-19, made the decision to self-quarantine.
Gaetz doesn’t have to worry about losing his job or paycheck, though. It’s a two-tiered system that even some attendees at CPAC took issue with. On top of that, although many workers do not have the option to take paid sick leave or work remotely, Gaetz does, but he voted against that for others, according to The Intercept.
The lawmaker has since tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus but is continuing to self-quarantine ‘in an abundance of caution.’ Members of Congress get paid a salary of $174,000 or more no matter what. They do not have to vote or be present in D.C., and Gaetz has missed votes all week.”
When Rick Scott served as Governor of Florida in 2013, the outlet notes that he signed off on the Gaetz-backed preemption legislation that barred every city and county in Florida from enacting paid sick leave legislation.
Democrats countered the stimulus plan offered with one their own that is more expansive than the GOP’s and includes paid sick leave, broadened unemployment insurance, free coronavirus testing, and treatment for those who cannot afford medical help, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy are declining it.
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McCarthy called the Democrats’ proposal a “my way or the highway” approach.
We owe it to the American people to get this right, and I am confident that if we come together as adults, we can act responsibly in the next 48 hours.
But a “my way or the highway” approach is not the right way to handle a serious health epidemic. pic.twitter.com/bDWd0G8ug0
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 12, 2020
Meanwhile, Sen. Turtleshit claimed the Democrats’ stimulus plan doesn’t contain “pressing issues.”
Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi’s first draft from late last night was off-base. It does not focus immediate relief on affected Americans. It proposes new bureaucracy that would only delay assistance. It wanders into policy areas that are not related to the pressing issues at hand.
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 12, 2020
In addition, Democrats have urged the Trump administration to delay a planned food benefit cut due to the rapidly expanding coronavirus outbreak, but administration officials have said no. But Gaetz, who tested negative, can kick back at home while collecting a paycheck that we, the taxpayers, pay for.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
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