As the coronavirus outbreak continues to rapidly gain steam in the United States, it’s clear that an end to the woes from the virus is nowhere in sight.
People are already operating under strict social distancing and quarantine guidelines, barely leaving their homes in hopes that no one presents with symptoms before this nightmare is over. But it’s impossible to ignore the fact that the effects of this pandemic have left millions of Americans forced to worry about more than just their health as numerous companies shut their doors for the foreseeable future.
To help combat the financial hardship suffered by the public during the outbreak (and provide more than a little help for massive corporations and Donald Trump’s beloved economy) Congress recently passed a bipartisan stimulus package that offered corporations the bailout of their lifetime and will put a check worth $1200 (plus $500 for every qualifying child) in the hands of Americans over the age of 18 whose income doesn’t surpass the maximum limit.
However, the bill only offers the one-time payment to the millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet, and given that this catastrophe doesn’t look as though it will be anywhere near over in a months time, the fact of the matter is it’s simply not going to be enough.
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Numerous progressive voices have pointed out this fact and continue to push for an additional stimulus package/s. But according to a new report from the Washinton Post’s Jeff Stein, who spoke with an anonymous White House economic advisor, Americans shouldn’t hold their breath for further assistance if the Republicans have anything to say about it.
According to the advisor, the chances of an additional package that seeks improvements in federal benefits such as food stamps, Medicare funding, and additional direct payments to the American public “are zero.”
“No more spending,” the unnamed advisor stated to the Post. “We did all the spending.”
Other prominent figures in the GOP have spoken along the same vein, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying in a recent Fox News appearance, “I’m not sure we need a fourth package. And before we go to start drafting a fourth package, I’d like these three packages we just put out… to take care and get this economy moving.”
“The ink is hardly dry on a $2 trillion-plus emergency package,” Republican Senator Tom Toomey stated to the New York Times. “If we determine that another measure is necessary, it should not be the vehicle for Speaker Pelosi’s partisan, parochial wish list.”
Even Steven Mnuchin, who has served as the White House’s lead negotiator stated “we will go back to Congress and get more support for the American economy” if this package ultimately proves to be ineffective, but was sure to add, “I hope that’s not needed.”
It’s crystal clear at this point in the game that the American public cannot and should not rely on the Republicans in Congress to help ensure that we’re able to survive. They simply don’t care.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
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