Republican coronavirus bill hits roadblock in U.S. Senate; negotiations continue

[webfact]

Republican coronavirus bill hits roadblock in U.S. Senate; negotiations continue

 

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talks to media after leaving the Senate floor after a meeting to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Senate on Sunday were voting to block a coronavirus response bill as they pushed for more funding to help hospitals and others hurt by the outbreak.

 

With a procedural vote still underway, the Democrats had more than the minimum 41 votes needed to stop the Republican bill from advancing.

 

Privately, negotiations were continuing on a revised bill after Democrats said this one was skewed too heavily toward helping corporations at the expense of workers and families.

 

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-23

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[brommers]

Watching the US shows that it is actually a third world country run by politicians who live only for their party games. It makes Thailand look positively organised and decisive, which of course it is not entirely. But at least it is streets ahead of the US, UK and EU.

[bristolboy]

10 minutes ago, brommers said:

Watching the US shows that it is actually a third world country run by politicians who live only for their party games. It makes Thailand look positively organised and decisive, which of course it is not entirely. But at least it is streets ahead of the US, UK and EU.

Yes. The excellence of Thailand's response to Covid clearly supports your evaluation.

[lannarebirth]

36 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Yes. The excellence of Thailand's response to Covid clearly supports your evaluation.

 

I get his point. It's the distinction between one country whose government is indifferent to the deprivation of it's people and another who is calculating how they can earn off that deprivation.

[bristolboy]

36 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

 

I get his point. It's the distinction between one country whose government is indifferent to the deprivation of it's people and another who is calculating how they can earn off that deprivation.

You mean like increasing unemployment benefits and suspending foreclosures?

[TheFishman1]

I think I read somewhere the Republicans want to help the big corporation so they can get all the money and then do the buybacks like they did once before and get richer I don’t think they care too much about the working guys TIA

[DoctorG]

2 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

I think I read somewhere the Republicans want to help the big corporation so they can get all the money and then do the buybacks like they did once before and get richer I don’t think they care too much about the working guys TIA

You might have indeed read it somewhere, but is it true?

[bristolboy]

Senate at odds over makeup of coronavirus stimulus package; Utah rep hospitalized - updates

“The legislation had many, many problems. At the top of the list, it included a large corporate bailout provision, with no protections for workers and virtually no oversight,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said earlier Sunday. “It also significantly cut back on the money our hospitals, our cities, our states, our medical workers and so many others needed during this crisis."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/22/covid-19-updates-senate-expected-vote-coronavirus-aid/2894053001/

[JHolmesJr]

Democrats trying to act like angels...painting republicans as devils.

As usual playing politics to derail vital legislation.

We've seen this movie before.

Fiddling while the US burns.

 

[candide]

42 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

We've seen this movie before.

What we've seen before is that only some Republicans voted against the previous relief bill...

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

Democrats trying to act like angels...painting republicans as devils.

As usual playing politics to derail vital legislation.

We've seen this movie before.

Fiddling while the US burns.

 

We've seen Trump's tweet on that very subject. 

 

Not a good look. 

[wwest5829]

3 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

Democrats trying to act like angels...painting republicans as devils.

As usual playing politics to derail vital legislation.

We've seen this movie before.

Fiddling while the US burns.

 

Ha! No need to "try". Just report the facts. Playing politics ... well I cannot deny if you are comparing money supporting corporations versus supporting citizens as the primary focus.

[Tug]

4 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

Democrats trying to act like angels...painting republicans as devils.

As usual playing politics to derail vital legislation.

We've seen this movie before.

Fiddling while the US burns.

 

No that’s Mitch McConnells job and the fisherman1 you are spot on that is exactly what’s happening the aid is skewed towards big corporations and industry’s providing a trough to feed at taxpayers expense and less towards the working citizens 

[JHolmesJr]

The most important thing now is to save jobs.

Which means giving companies reasons to not fire people en masse.

Giving everyone a one time  $3000 lumpsum or whatever that nut job Schumer wants

is not gonna work.

[Nyezhov]

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

No that’s Mitch McConnells job and the fisherman1 you are spot on that is exactly what’s happening the aid is skewed towards big corporations and industry’s providing a trough to feed at taxpayers expense and less towards the working citizens 

Have you read the bill? Good, you can help us all and provide us with each and every provision that is skewed towards big corps vis a vis working citizenss.

 

If you cant, then as usual, its just another biased rant based on someone elses thoughts.

[bristolboy]

4 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

The most important thing now is to save jobs.

Which means giving companies reasons to not fire people en masse.

Giving everyone a one time  $3000 lumpsum or whatever that nut job Schumer wants

is not gonna work.

Actually, it's that nut job Trump who wants to give lump sums to everyone. Buying votes much? The Democrats prefer to target those who have lost their jobs. People who keep their jobs have no special need for the cash. At least not more than they used to. But those without a job risking losing everything. The money should be targeted at them. 

And there should be strong provisions against using cash for buybacks. The Republican bill would allow Mnuchin to waife buyback provisions.

 

"Democrats have outlined a laundry list of objectionable provisions, arguing that the bill does not expand paid sick leave and actually caps how much employers have to pay.

A source familiar with the GOP bill text also said Republicans are “refusing to add strong worker protections” and have included language requiring companies keep employees “to the extent possible.”

...Democrats also wanted strong restrictions on corporations who take federal help, but the source said the GOP bill included “very weak” stock buyback restrictions that could be waived by Mnuchin."

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488911-democrats-fume-over-gop-coronavirus-bill-totally-inadequate

 

[JHolmesJr]

24 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Actually, it's that nut job Trump who wants to give lump sums to everyone. Buying votes much? The Democrats prefer to target those who have lost their jobs. People who keep their jobs have no special need for the cash. At least not more than they used to. But those without a job risking losing everything. The money should be targeted at them. 

And there should be strong provisions against using cash for buybacks. The Republican bill would allow Mnuchin to waife buyback provisions.

 

"Democrats have outlined a laundry list of objectionable provisions, arguing that the bill does not expand paid sick leave and actually caps how much employers have to pay.

A source familiar with the GOP bill text also said Republicans are “refusing to add strong worker protections” and have included language requiring companies keep employees “to the extent possible.”

...Democrats also wanted strong restrictions on corporations who take federal help, but the source said the GOP bill included “very weak” stock buyback restrictions that could be waived by Mnuchin."

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488911-democrats-fume-over-gop-coronavirus-bill-totally-inadequate

 

 

when you are senate leader you can run things the way you want...til then let the elected leaders

do their job.

[Chiphigh]

5 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

I think I read somewhere the Republicans want to help the big corporation so they can get all the money and then do the buybacks like they did once before and get richer I don’t think they care too much about the working guys TIA

I'm sure you would read that regardless of what the reality is. Reporting a narrative is the goal of most of the media. 

[Chiphigh]

34 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Actually, it's that nut job Trump who wants to give lump sums to everyone. Buying votes much? The Democrats prefer to target those who have lost their jobs. People who keep their jobs have no special need for the cash. At least not more than they used to. But those without a job risking losing everything. The money should be targeted at them. 

And there should be strong provisions against using cash for buybacks. The Republican bill would allow Mnuchin to waife buyback provisions.

 

"Democrats have outlined a laundry list of objectionable provisions, arguing that the bill does not expand paid sick leave and actually caps how much employers have to pay.

A source familiar with the GOP bill text also said Republicans are “refusing to add strong worker protections” and have included language requiring companies keep employees “to the extent possible.”

...Democrats also wanted strong restrictions on corporations who take federal help, but the source said the GOP bill included “very weak” stock buyback restrictions that could be waived by Mnuchin."

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488911-democrats-fume-over-gop-coronavirus-bill-totally-inadequate

 

So the dems want more benefits in the short term or permanent? 

[bristolboy]

9 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

when you are senate leader you can run things the way you want...til then let the elected leaders

do their job.

Right because someone criticizing the conduct of political leaders is unprecedented in the annals of thaivisa.com But, to be fair, it is, after all, coming from someone who has never criticized the way Nancy Pelosi and the house Democrats have conducted their business...it is to laugh. 

[stevenl]

30 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

when you are senate leader you can run things the way you want...til then let the elected leaders

do their job.

Your reasoning got refuted, so you come back with a platitude.

Great discussion technique.

[bristolboy]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Your reasoning got refuted, so you come back with a platitude.

Great discussion technique.

A platitude compounded with hypocrisy.

[Tug]

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

Have you read the bill? Good, you can help us all and provide us with each and every provision that is skewed towards big corps vis a vis working citizenss.

 

If you cant, then as usual, its just another biased rant based on someone elses thoughts.

FYI nether did the dems till it was on the floor for the vote not it’s final version bottom line they don’t want it to be a stock buyback scam like trumps tax welfare break for the wealthy 

[bristolboy]

1 hour ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

when you are senate leader you can run things the way you want...til then let the elected leaders

do their job.

On further thought, I guess I should be flattered your comment. It seems you believe that my comments are somehow getting in the way of elected leaders doing their job. While I recognize the vital importance of the work I am doing here on thaivisa.com, it has never occurred to me that my comments might somehow be standing in the way of progress at what has been called the greatest deliberative body in the world. I will try to be more careful in the future so as not to impede America's and the world's recovery from this crisis. But I make no guarantees.

[bristolboy]

7 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

Democrats trying to act like angels...painting republicans as devils.

As usual playing politics to derail vital legislation.

We've seen this movie before.

Fiddling while the US burns.

 

The GOP just smuggled another awful provision into the stimulus

According to language in the bill forwarded to me by a senior Senate Democratic aide, this provision excludes “nonprofits receiving Medicaid expenditures,” which would not be eligible for those loans.

This language has been interpreted in some quarters as an effort to deny funding to Planned Parenthood, a longtime GOP target...

Specifically, Democratic aides believe this language would exclude from eligibility for this funding a big range of other nonprofits that get Medicaid funding, such as home and community-based disability providers; community-based nursing homes, mental health providers and health centers; group homes for the disabled; and even rape crisis centers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/23/gop-just-smuggled-another-awful-provision-into-big-stimulus-bill/

 

 

[Paul Henry]

November cannot  come quick enough to get rid of Trump and the self protective and greedy republicans.

Again Trump is looking after the Top end of town so he and his mates can reap personal benefits.

The next brazen attempt will be delay the elections in November so trump and his mates can hang on for another twelve months with their nose in the trough and continue to fill the swamp with parasites.

[Chiphigh]

9 hours ago, Tug said:

FYI nether did the dems till it was on the floor for the vote not it’s final version bottom line they don’t want it to be a stock buyback scam like trumps tax welfare break for the wealthy 

Yeah sure, so they moved to cram in loads of social justice warrior nonsense like demanding to have diversity officers in corporations. Or to mandate the ridiculous carbon emissions of airlines. 

 

It is precisely this kind of thing that shows just how these democrats have zero interest in helping the country. 

[Cryingdick]

12 hours ago, JHolmesJr said:

The most important thing now is to save jobs.

Which means giving companies reasons to not fire people en masse.

Giving everyone a one time  $3000 lumpsum or whatever that nut job Schumer wants

is not gonna work.

 

You mean if I work for American Airlines and they go bankrupt I can't plan to stay at home and collect $3,000 for the rest of my life? I hope you aren't saying that unless these companies are saved things are going to get really grim for me.

 

I guess if a company like GM isn't going to get any help they should probably not halt auto production to make ventilators. It's funny when this happens and suddenly the big old give is panicking and asking the big companies to do their job. Government has no masks. Tim Cook comes up with 2 million of them out of the blue. 

 

Bezos runs home delivery better than the post office and is still hiring 100,000 people. Without Amazon the post office would crack. Amazon is also prioritizing only medical and essential supplies. No Amazon and the death toll climbs faster.

 

Companies helping the government with their tech and security and machine learning for development in vaccines. Ever been to a government website?

 

In another month the government will have to switch from cash disbursements to Uncle Sam bucks. 

 

We can live without airports and airplanes and cars. The government will just do that in the future. I have never understood the hate for private companies and this notion that the government is some wholesome virgin.

 

 

Edited March 24, 2020 by Cryingdick

[Chiphigh]

1 hour ago, Paul Henry said:

November cannot  come quick enough to get rid of Trump and the self protective and greedy republicans.

Again Trump is looking after the Top end of town so he and his mates can reap personal benefits.

The next brazen attempt will be delay the elections in November so trump and his mates can hang on for another twelve months with their nose in the trough and continue to fill the swamp with parasites.

The dems have tried to put in a load of progressive wish list items in the bill. This will be one of the dumbest things these woke clowns have tried to do and it will backfire in spectacular fashion. The bill is intended to be an economic stimulus and to keep people and their employers from financial collapse. Anyone who thinks that social justice warrior nonsense inserted into the bill is not a sign of sabotage is an idiot. 

[Chiphigh]

9 hours ago, bristolboy said:

The GOP just smuggled another awful provision into the stimulus

According to language in the bill forwarded to me by a senior Senate Democratic aide, this provision excludes “nonprofits receiving Medicaid expenditures,” which would not be eligible for those loans.

This language has been interpreted in some quarters as an effort to deny funding to Planned Parenthood, a longtime GOP target...

Specifically, Democratic aides believe this language would exclude from eligibility for this funding a big range of other nonprofits that get Medicaid funding, such as home and community-based disability providers; community-based nursing homes, mental health providers and health centers; group homes for the disabled; and even rape crisis centers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/23/gop-just-smuggled-another-awful-provision-into-big-stimulus-bill/

 

 

I noticed that you are ignoring the laundry list of progressive agendas inserted in the bill. 

 

Like installing diversity officers in corporations or renewable energy tax credits or demand for carbon emissions for airlines. 

 

If you think these kind of progressive pet projects are needed in a bill to bolster employees and employers you are insane. 

 

This will backfire on these leftists, as it should.