Speaker Pelosi has confirmed that she will be meeting today to continue coronavirus stimulus relief with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, after talks on Monday concluded unsuccessfully. Pelosi and fellow Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said the talks had been productive, but this morning there are more reports that Republicans and Democrats are still not close to a deal.
(Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) talk with reporters in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol August 03, 2020 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla, via Getty Images.)
The initial Republican plan includes a little over a trillion dollars in total and they are looking to put $200 billion of it back into the same kind of PPP loans that were such a disaster the first time. The GOP wants to now cap the $600 per week federal unemployment bolster at $200 per week, and refuses to remove liability protections for employers and schools.
Democrats are seeking to distribute $3.4 trillion overall and want to focus most of the aid through stimulus checks, health care, unemployment benefits and other safety net allocations. Most of the funding in the Democrats’ plan would send money to the state and local level, and they have allocated nothing for the PPP program.
The core issues that are still in dispute now include: the proposal to decrease federal aid for jobless Americans; the Republican sticking point of liability protections for businesses; and Democrats’ insistence on relief for state and local governments.
(Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who was not present for yesterday’s talks, arrives for a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 27, 2020, to highlight the new Republican coronavirus aid package. Via Getty Images.)
The urgency to pass a bill has only been heightened by the recently expired moratorium on evictions and the expiration in July of the $600 per week federal unemployment benefit. Apparently, Mitch McConnell did not even attend yesterday’s talks as it was reported that Mnuchin and Meadows went to brief Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) about the talks after the meeting with Democrats had concluded.
I’m interested to know what you think about the state of the negotiations. Do you think Democrats should hold out, and possibly put more people at financial risk, to ensure that another round of stimulus money does not go to the wrong people like it did initially with the first round of PPP loans? (The first round of aid heavily financed PPP loans were distributed to Chinese owned businesses, and others who should not have been eligible.)
What type aid would best help you in your current financial situation? What kind of deal do you think would be best for the country and those who are in most need of immediate cash flow? Do you support the Democrats’ current proposal and if not, what funding would you increase or decrease? Do you want to see Democrats play hardball to win this round even if it hurts vulnerable Americans? Sound off below.
Here's my comment: I can't stand the idea of any more money going into that PPP program that has been completely abused. I like the Democratic plan by and large and I really want them to fight to get rid of the liability protections and to keep UI where it is. I wish they would put a quick eviction moratorium in place now, on it's own, because it seems we are all in agreement over that. Ultimately, I trust Pelosi and Schumer to see the big picture on this and know how much leverage they have-they are seasoned professionals when it comes to these negotiations and I trust their skills.
This is greed and downright meanness at its core. As an actress/writer whose partner is an actor and fitness professional, we have experienced so much hardship over the past few months just trying to keep paying our rent and buy groceries, as I have an autoimmune issue and he hasn't worked since March. While I work from home p/t, the $600/wk that my partner received was how we were able to still pay our bills. It covered what he wasn't making from being unable to go to the gyms and work. Now with an $300/mo increase in our CoveredCalifornia health insurance, and the need to have it right now, losing that extra $600 is extremely difficult. And with the coin shortage happening as well, those of us who live in apartments with coin operated laundry facilities cannot even do our wash. We are new to California and have no family around or anyone to financially help us. So what do Republicans expect people whose work has been shut and now only make $198/wk to do? How will we stimulate the economy? I am beginning to think that when they say stimulate the economy what they really mean is stimulate the stock market and their bank accounts. And personally, fuck you. How much money is enough? Millionaires and Billionaires continuing to make trillions hand over fist as people fight for their lives and die is despicable.
Keeping continued payments in the hands of the people who actually sustain the economy (because how many times do we have to fitness trickle down economics fail before everyone stops catering to corporations and billionaires?!?) is key. Investing in healthcare, computers/internet for all students country-wide so they can stay home, safe + still in school is also imperative. The Democrats plan seems to cover a lot of this, but the money needs to go into the hands of the people and the states. There needs to be a solid distribution and tracking plan, so that continued wasteful spending and corruption can be stopped in its tracks. In order to stop the spread of this virus that has devastated so many, logic would tell us that finding a solution to keep people at home and financially ok, is a main importance. While I know that people are not in the Republicans best interests, Democrats have to not buck under pressure. The financial repercussions of giving more $$ to military, PPE and corporations will have longer lasting negative effects on this economy than holding the line and fighting for the American people.
I think the Democrats also need to start looking at the policies and procedures that have been commonplace in politics and realize that the red-tape, bureaucracy and lack of transparency days are over. People need (even if they don't realize it) real talk, straight answers, actual solutions, productive discussions. Changing the way they "do business" in Washington to be more humane and inclusive would show Americans that it's not politics as usual and that they can have faith that people are actually seeing, hearing, helping them.
I agree with the dems.. HOLD FIRM this is Moscow Mitch's disaster make them pay- states and cities need help as do all the people.. we have the best medicine, doctors, universities and we are out of control with this pandemic it should have never gotten here I'm astounded everyday at the incompetence of Trump and the GOP they must be voted out so we can save ourselves.
I am in agreement with the Dems. I also think the fact that the sneaky Repubs were wanting 8 billion for new FBI headquarters, fighter jets, defense spending, etc and more PPP for those that do not need it! C'mon, this is a Covid relief pkg. And the fact that these greedy b*stards tried to sneak this bs spending in is deplorable. Also the fact that they have waited months,(thanks to Traitor Mitch) & now the masses have lost their unemployment and insurance is enough to start a revolution on these money mongers. Yes,I am pissed, mad as hell & want to shout it from the rooftops!
Direct payments through unemployment boost ($600, not a penny less) and they should throw in a tax break for the unemployed too, since unemployment is taxed. Republicans can say they got a tax cut.
My prediction is that McConnell will have as little to do with it as possible, he doesn't have the votes to pass anything, so he's kind of a ghost to the process. All he can do is scare people. So this way he can blame the white house, and pass it with Democrats support. It won't be everything, but it will be enough ish.
I personally am unemployed for the first time in my 62 years. The $600 makes me even ish. I am hopefully taking 2 jobs on in September which together, again makes me even ish. In the meantime I've learned a new programming language, and am knee deep in creating an MVP product.
I have relied on the $600 and funded front line workers. I do know small companies that have legit used the PPP to keep the lights on and keep paying their employees to work from home. But there has to be a better oversight mechanism. Local governments need emergency funding. And there has to be more money (along with a real strategy) for testing and treating. They don't need to keep throwing money at big pharma (or big Kodak?). Those companies are very well incented to work harder and faster by the free market.
Looks like most of us are in agreement: Hold The Line, Democrats! What we need is worth fighting for.
I got the sense yesterday on Twitter that some folks were becoming disenchanted with our Democratic leadership (not playing hardball, too soft on Republicans who fail to show up for hearings, not DOING anything to combat Trump) and I feel that way myself now and then.
So it's good to see here that we are all in the same corner, cheering our leaders forward. I trust Nancy and Chuck and I know they have our best interests at heart.
Hold firm Dems as clearly McConnell & Trump learned nothing from their failed attempt at a government shutdown; too, though I know I'm preaching to the choir here, those who can need to support food banks and other NGO's that will help others survive. There is a special place in hell for R's that have failed to pass the Heroes Act and I'm just counting down to November 3rd.
The people with the power don't care. They got theirs, so screw the rest of us. I would love Democrats to stay strong in the negotiations, but they don't have the power and will have to make concessions; I dread seeing what those concessions will be.
Whatever they pass, if anything, too little will go to taxpayers who need it in so many forms, and more will just land in the laps of fat cats who have already benefited beyond belief by past stimulus programs with no oversight. I'm so tired of these horrible, horrible carpetbaggers.
I am among the fortunate few whose job was relatively unaffected by the pandemic, and I am very thankful for that, though I did take a financial hit. However, my kids' lives have been turned upside down, so whatever the government can do to help schools safely navigate this new normal, including putting into place proper health and wellness protocols, would be very much welcomed by me.
Playing hardball right now is a double-edged sword. The Republicans' plan to immunize the businesses from COVID-related liability just pisses me off, because on one hand, they're telling people that you HAVE to go back to work, but on the other they are telling those same people that if they get sick because they go back to work, too bad so sad for you. Completely unfair, IMHO. Yet having said that, there are a lot of people who desperately need some type of financial boost right now, and they're getting nothing. So, it's kind of a no-win situation for the Democrats.
The Democrat plan is for the people who need this money. It's a good plan. I agree. No more money to PPP. There were alot of holes in the program that should have been filled as your July 15 article demonstrates. The GOP have let their greed override the need of the American people. It has destroyed their ability to govern.
Here's my comment: I can't stand the idea of any more money going into that PPP program that has been completely abused. I like the Democratic plan by and large and I really want them to fight to get rid of the liability protections and to keep UI where it is. I wish they would put a quick eviction moratorium in place now, on it's own, because it seems we are all in agreement over that. Ultimately, I trust Pelosi and Schumer to see the big picture on this and know how much leverage they have-they are seasoned professionals when it comes to these negotiations and I trust their skills.
This is greed and downright meanness at its core. As an actress/writer whose partner is an actor and fitness professional, we have experienced so much hardship over the past few months just trying to keep paying our rent and buy groceries, as I have an autoimmune issue and he hasn't worked since March. While I work from home p/t, the $600/wk that my partner received was how we were able to still pay our bills. It covered what he wasn't making from being unable to go to the gyms and work. Now with an $300/mo increase in our CoveredCalifornia health insurance, and the need to have it right now, losing that extra $600 is extremely difficult. And with the coin shortage happening as well, those of us who live in apartments with coin operated laundry facilities cannot even do our wash. We are new to California and have no family around or anyone to financially help us. So what do Republicans expect people whose work has been shut and now only make $198/wk to do? How will we stimulate the economy? I am beginning to think that when they say stimulate the economy what they really mean is stimulate the stock market and their bank accounts. And personally, fuck you. How much money is enough? Millionaires and Billionaires continuing to make trillions hand over fist as people fight for their lives and die is despicable.
Keeping continued payments in the hands of the people who actually sustain the economy (because how many times do we have to fitness trickle down economics fail before everyone stops catering to corporations and billionaires?!?) is key. Investing in healthcare, computers/internet for all students country-wide so they can stay home, safe + still in school is also imperative. The Democrats plan seems to cover a lot of this, but the money needs to go into the hands of the people and the states. There needs to be a solid distribution and tracking plan, so that continued wasteful spending and corruption can be stopped in its tracks. In order to stop the spread of this virus that has devastated so many, logic would tell us that finding a solution to keep people at home and financially ok, is a main importance. While I know that people are not in the Republicans best interests, Democrats have to not buck under pressure. The financial repercussions of giving more $$ to military, PPE and corporations will have longer lasting negative effects on this economy than holding the line and fighting for the American people.
I think the Democrats also need to start looking at the policies and procedures that have been commonplace in politics and realize that the red-tape, bureaucracy and lack of transparency days are over. People need (even if they don't realize it) real talk, straight answers, actual solutions, productive discussions. Changing the way they "do business" in Washington to be more humane and inclusive would show Americans that it's not politics as usual and that they can have faith that people are actually seeing, hearing, helping them.
I agree with the dems.. HOLD FIRM this is Moscow Mitch's disaster make them pay- states and cities need help as do all the people.. we have the best medicine, doctors, universities and we are out of control with this pandemic it should have never gotten here I'm astounded everyday at the incompetence of Trump and the GOP they must be voted out so we can save ourselves.
I am in agreement with the Dems. I also think the fact that the sneaky Repubs were wanting 8 billion for new FBI headquarters, fighter jets, defense spending, etc and more PPP for those that do not need it! C'mon, this is a Covid relief pkg. And the fact that these greedy b*stards tried to sneak this bs spending in is deplorable. Also the fact that they have waited months,(thanks to Traitor Mitch) & now the masses have lost their unemployment and insurance is enough to start a revolution on these money mongers. Yes,I am pissed, mad as hell & want to shout it from the rooftops!
Direct payments through unemployment boost ($600, not a penny less) and they should throw in a tax break for the unemployed too, since unemployment is taxed. Republicans can say they got a tax cut.
My prediction is that McConnell will have as little to do with it as possible, he doesn't have the votes to pass anything, so he's kind of a ghost to the process. All he can do is scare people. So this way he can blame the white house, and pass it with Democrats support. It won't be everything, but it will be enough ish.
I personally am unemployed for the first time in my 62 years. The $600 makes me even ish. I am hopefully taking 2 jobs on in September which together, again makes me even ish. In the meantime I've learned a new programming language, and am knee deep in creating an MVP product.
Businesses cannot survive without people paying for stuff.
People can't pay for stuff without money.
Payroll tax cut only helps people on a payroll ... Drop that.
Liability protection ? EFF that too.
Compromise the $600/kK down to no less than $500/Wk.
Or send everyone $2k/month.
They must play hardball.
I have relied on the $600 and funded front line workers. I do know small companies that have legit used the PPP to keep the lights on and keep paying their employees to work from home. But there has to be a better oversight mechanism. Local governments need emergency funding. And there has to be more money (along with a real strategy) for testing and treating. They don't need to keep throwing money at big pharma (or big Kodak?). Those companies are very well incented to work harder and faster by the free market.
Looks like most of us are in agreement: Hold The Line, Democrats! What we need is worth fighting for.
I got the sense yesterday on Twitter that some folks were becoming disenchanted with our Democratic leadership (not playing hardball, too soft on Republicans who fail to show up for hearings, not DOING anything to combat Trump) and I feel that way myself now and then.
So it's good to see here that we are all in the same corner, cheering our leaders forward. I trust Nancy and Chuck and I know they have our best interests at heart.
#NovemberIsComing I hope we all make it!
Hold firm Dems as clearly McConnell & Trump learned nothing from their failed attempt at a government shutdown; too, though I know I'm preaching to the choir here, those who can need to support food banks and other NGO's that will help others survive. There is a special place in hell for R's that have failed to pass the Heroes Act and I'm just counting down to November 3rd.
The people with the power don't care. They got theirs, so screw the rest of us. I would love Democrats to stay strong in the negotiations, but they don't have the power and will have to make concessions; I dread seeing what those concessions will be.
Whatever they pass, if anything, too little will go to taxpayers who need it in so many forms, and more will just land in the laps of fat cats who have already benefited beyond belief by past stimulus programs with no oversight. I'm so tired of these horrible, horrible carpetbaggers.
Let’s start counting the cause and manner of suicides from July first on
I am among the fortunate few whose job was relatively unaffected by the pandemic, and I am very thankful for that, though I did take a financial hit. However, my kids' lives have been turned upside down, so whatever the government can do to help schools safely navigate this new normal, including putting into place proper health and wellness protocols, would be very much welcomed by me.
Playing hardball right now is a double-edged sword. The Republicans' plan to immunize the businesses from COVID-related liability just pisses me off, because on one hand, they're telling people that you HAVE to go back to work, but on the other they are telling those same people that if they get sick because they go back to work, too bad so sad for you. Completely unfair, IMHO. Yet having said that, there are a lot of people who desperately need some type of financial boost right now, and they're getting nothing. So, it's kind of a no-win situation for the Democrats.
The Democrat plan is for the people who need this money. It's a good plan. I agree. No more money to PPP. There were alot of holes in the program that should have been filled as your July 15 article demonstrates. The GOP have let their greed override the need of the American people. It has destroyed their ability to govern.