So, after completely ignoring since May the bill the Democratic-led House passed that would a extend the emergency jobless benefits through January and approve additional aid for families, workers and businesses, the Republicans in the Senate are finally getting around to working on a replacement for the current aid package as provisions in it are running out.
But negotiations within the party are not going well.
What points do they agree on?
“McConnell said Senate Republicans ‘overwhelmingly’ oppose extending the $600-a-week unemployment supplement because they believe it’s a deterrent to work …”
- Force lazy-ass workers back to work
“McConnell said his one red line is that the bill must include liability protections for businesses, schools, hospitals and other entities as long as they’re not ‘grossly negligent’ upon reopening.”
2. Protect those lazy workers’ employers from being sued when those workers get sick after being forced back into unsafe work environments.
So what do they agree on that might benefit workers?
<crickets>
Some, like Ron Paul, the Libertarian who is so obnoxious his neighbors have to beat him up, don’t want to spend any money at all.
So, they are united in forcing the American worker back into unsafe workplaces, and protecting those unsafe workplaces from liability, but unable to even agree that they should spend any money on a response to a pandemic that is racing toward a second wave that will make the first look like a ripple.
Dear American workers: how hard do you want to be screwed, and from which direction?