Democrats blocked a massive $1.8 trillion stimulus spending bill to protect the U.S. economy and provide relief to American families who are suffering as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
“The fate of a sweeping government rescue package to prop up an economy devastated by the coronavirus pandemic was in limbo on Sunday after Democrats blocked action in the Senate,” The New York Times reported. “The 47-47 vote was a stunning setback for a package that was emerging as the largest economic stimulus measure in modern American history – now expected to cost $1.8 trillion or more.”
The Times noted that the Democrats’ decision to block the bill sent U.S. stock futures tumbling to the maximum limit on Sunday evening. The Times further added that Republicans and Democrats had agreed that the plan was “crucial” to stopping economic fallout from the outbreak of the coronavirus as the bill would have sent $1,200 in direct payments to millions of Americans and would have provided lots of additional benefits.
Now is the time for leadership – not politics. The American people deserve action to confront this crisis. pic.twitter.com/Ix2UnpwdMS
— Mark Bednar (@MarkBednar) March 23, 2020
Townhall political editor Guy Benson reported that Senate sources said that Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was responsible for tanking the bill.
“Talking to some Senate GOP sources. They seem stunned and angry,” Benson said. “I’m told there was lots of bipartisan input into the legislative outline & emerging specifics – including an agreement in principle on broad strokes. Then Pelosi showed up and threw a partisan grenade.”
“One source thinks D leadership decided crisis provided big opportunity to pack goodies into bill, so bipartisan process/momentum broke down,” Benson added. “Economists believe there is no time for a partisan standoff. But here we are. D’s counting on media cover & ‘corporations’ talking point.”
One source thinks D leadership decided crisis provided big opportunity to pack goodies into bill, so bipartisan process/momentum broke down. Economists believe there is no time for a partisan standoff. But here we are. D’s counting on media cover & “corporations” talking point.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) March 22, 2020
Numerous other notable political and media figures also noted that Pelosi was responsible for ruining the bill.
Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Brian Riedl tweeted: “The Senate Democrats just engaged in one of the most cynical displays of partisanship I have ever seen in the U.S. Senate. They let Pelosi blow up a bipartisan agreement. And they’ll get away with it too by denying what was in the agreement.”
The Senate Democrats just engaged in one of the most cynical displays of partisanship I have ever seen in the U.S. Senate. They let Pelosi blow up a bipartisan agreement. And they'll get away with it too by denying what was in the agreement.
— Brian Riedl 🧀 🇺🇦 (@Brian_Riedl) March 22, 2020
Nicole Kaeding, Vice President of Policy Promotion and Economist at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, wrote on Twitter, “I love the people in my feed saying McConnell should negotiate. He did, guys. The bill released today was watered down from the one the other day on several R issues. There were clear bipartisan changes.”
I love the people in my feed saying McConnell should negotiate. He did, guys. The bill released today was watered down from the one the other day on several R issues. There were clear bipartisan changes.
— Nicole Kaeding (@NKaeding) March 22, 2020
Political commentator Hugh Hewitt tweeted: “He jammed his own caucus to pass @SpeakerPelosi bill because he knows we are in a catastrophe and action needed. If businesses founder, they cannot be resurrected from ashes. Vote by @SenateDems most outrageous obstructionism I’ve ever seen and @senatemajldr anger is righteous.”
He jammed his own caucus to pass @SpeakerPelosi bill because he knows we are in a catastrophe and action needed. If businesses founder, they cannot be resurrected from ashes. Vote by @SenateDems most outrageous obstructionism I’ve ever seen and @senatemajldr anger is righteous. https://t.co/OONylAntmm
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) March 23, 2020
Democrats tried to claim that the bill was a corporate bailout and a slush fund and did not protect workers, which is misleading.
Part of what Democrats have used to try to make the claim was a component of the relief package that gives the Treasury Department the power to distribute $500 billion in emergency federal loans to states, cities, and businesses.
House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA) tweeted: “Now is NOT the time for politics. Senate Dems & Nancy Pelosi need to quit playing political games & support the Coronavirus relief bill they co-wrote in the first place. Enough is enough. Lives are at stake. The economy is at stake. Families & workers need help NOW.”
Now is NOT the time for politics.
Senate Dems & Nancy Pelosi need to quit playing political games & support the Coronavirus relief bill they co-wrote in the first place.
Enough is enough.
Lives are at stake.
The economy is at stake.
Families & workers need help NOW.— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) March 22, 2020
This is a breaking news story, refresh the page for updates.