$3.6 Billion for Safe Elections
FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | May 14, 2020
“These funds are needed now to allow states to begin all the operational steps that are necessary to be ready for the election.”
The House is currently scheduled to vote tomorrow on the next stimulus relief package, the HEROES Act, which provides more than $3 trillion to fight the coronavirus and protect the economy.
Congressional action to address the pandemic was given a big boost yesterday by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. He issued an ominous warning about a potential multiyear recession and “long-term economic damage” in supporting the need for Congress to provide substantially more stimulus aid.
The House bill provides desperately needed funds to state and local governments which have been on the front lines in fighting the coronavirus. President Trump, meanwhile, has described the federal government – his Administration – as merely a “backup” for the states, thereby avoiding responsibility for solving the nation’s health crisis.
Unlike President Truman, the buck does not stop or go anywhere near Trump.
The House package contains many other important provisions to address the economic and health problems facing the country.
Importantly, the legislation addresses the health of our democracy by providing $3.6 billion for state and local election officials to run a safe and secure election in November under dramatically changed circumstances.
Vast increases in voting by mail will be required in November to allow safe and secure voting, and substantial funds are needed by state and local elections officials to adjust to this development. Funds are also needed to provide for safe in-person voting.
Furthermore, these funds are needed now to allow states to begin all the operational steps that are necessary to be ready for the election.
President Trump has attacked voting by mail as creating opportunities for fraud. These attacks appear to be no more than an effort by him to set the stage for rejecting the election results if he loses by claiming the results are “fraudulent.”
Unlike past stimulus bills, this will be a three-way negotiation between House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and the White House, with each having their own top priorities. This is expected to be a difficult negotiation and it may not be completed until late June.
Senator McConnell has greatly shortchanged voting funds for the states in two previous bills in this Congress. McConnell must be defeated in his likely attempt to again deny substantial funding for the states to use to ensure eligible voters are able to vote in November.
###
