Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was taken to the woodshed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Friday for sending senators home as the House prepares to vote on a crucial coronavirus bill.
Earlier this week, McConnell refused to pass a House bill that would provide funding for free coronavirus testing, give Americans paid sick leave and extend unemployment insurance and Medicaid in response to the pandemic sweeping the country.
Now, as the House prepares to pass another such bill, McConnell and Senate Republicans have gone AWOL even though President Donald Trump has endorsed the legislation.
In fact, Trump is trying to take credit for the free testing and paid sick leave that Democrats had already been previously seeking.
I fully support H.R. 6201: Families First CoronaVirus Response Act, which will be voted on in the House this evening. This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers. I have directed….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
….the health and well-being of American families FIRST. Look forward to signing the final Bill, ASAP!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
But unless McConnell reconvenes the Senate, the bill won’t be passed and it could be nearly two weeks before Americans get the help they desperately need.
And that’s why Schumer called him out on Twitter.
It was remarkably irresponsible and out of touch for Sen. McConnell to send senators out of town in the middle of a public health crisis before the House passed this vital people-focused legislation.
Sen. McConnell and Republicans should pass this legislation as is immediately. pic.twitter.com/092h17ZiDT
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 14, 2020
He’s not wrong. McConnell is already the grim reaper of the Senate when it comes to legislation. If he doesn’t reconvene the Senate immediately and pass this bill, he’ll be a true grim reaper as people die because of his inaction.
It’s time for Senate Republicans to do something to help the American people instead of the wealthy and themselves.
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