House Passes Historic $2 Trillion Relief Legislation
House Passes Historic $2 Trillion Relief Legislation
Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer
The House today passed historic legislation to address the coronavirus crisis – an historic problem for the United States and the world.The unprecedented $2 trillion economic relief package will provide essential assistance to immeasurable millions of struggling Americans, as well as health providers, states and municipalities, and small businesses.
Unfortunately, our ability to deal humanely and effectively with the health and economic crisis facing the nation has been seriously undermined by President Trump.
The President has refused to propose and implement a national plan to address the health crisis, even though there is widespread belief that such a plan is needed to fight the virus.
The President and his administration should be leading the nation’s battle against the coronavirus. Instead Trump has abdicated this role, saying “I don’t take responsibility at all” for problems that arise in dealing with the virus, and telling the nation’s Governors that the federal government is the “second line” of defense in dealing with the virus.
The President also has continued the pattern of his presidency by repeatedly lying, dissembling, misleading and making false statements to the nation regarding the health crisis.
Fortunately, a polarized and often paralyzed Congress has risen to the occasion and produced a $2 trillion, bipartisan stimulus relief package. They have done so at what is warp speed for the institution. Members of Congress, led by the Senate and House Republican and Democratic leaders, did not let deep-seated partisan divisions or policy differences stand in the way of getting the job done at this moment of national crisis.
The Congress stands tall today. The President does not.
Democracy 21 thanks Senate Democratic Leader Schumer and House Speaker Pelosi for the forceful and effective leadership they have provided to make sure that the interests of ordinary Americans were the top priority for the legislation.
Democracy 21 joined with many other organizations in urging that this legislation include $2 billion in funding for the states to take necessary steps to protect the health of our democracy by ensuring fair and honest elections in November. These funds would have been used to make necessary adjustments in voting procedures including increased opportunities for absentee ballots, voting by mail and safe in-person voting.
Senate Majority Leader McConnell, however, blocked the requested amount, as he has repeatedly blocked legislation in this Congress to strengthen election security and to prevent foreign interference in our elections. Instead, McConnell held the election funding in this bill to $400 million, a wholly inadequate amount to protect the November elections. In doing so, Senator McConnell has done a grave disservice to our democracy and the sacred right to vote.
Another stimulus relief package will likely be required in the next month or two. Democracy 21 will join many other organizations in demanding that the next relief legislation include the funds necessary to protect the integrity and fairness of the coming November elections.
