Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is criticizing Republicans for their latest coronavirus relief proposal and suggesting they are not willing to strike a reasonable deal with Democrats.
As the Senate returns from the summer recess next week, Schumer predicted in a letter he penned to his Democratic colleagues that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will not be interested in making a compromise.
“For more than four months, however, Senate Republicans have been ‘on pause’ in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. And now, as we return to session in the Senate, Leader McConnell is planning another round of partisan games,” Schumer said.
He added, “Democrats have negotiated in good faith, and we have offered to meet our Republican counterparts in the middle, but the White House has refused to make any significant compromise.”
According to Schumer, Republicans could cut their “skinny” $1 trillion proposal in half.
“Republicans may call their proposal ‘skinny,’ but it would be more appropriate to call it ’emaciated,'” Schumer said.
He continued, “Their proposal appears to be completely inadequate and, by every measure, fails to meet the needs of the American people.”
Schumer claimed Republicans’ bill does not include funding for rental assistance, nutrition assistance, state and local services, the census, or secure elections.
He argued Republicans are just trying to “check the box” and make it appear like they are taking action, but in reality they are not meeting the needs of Americans.
“During the debate over the CARES Act, it was our unity against a partisan, Republican first draft that allowed for significant improvements to be made; improvements that have benefited millions upon millions of Americans and helped our economy,” Schumer wrote.
He went on, “We should strive for, and hope we can achieve, another comprehensive, bipartisan bill that meets the moment facing our nation.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday McConnell will “hopefully” unveil a new bill next week, as IJR previously reported.