Collins blasts Senate Dems for blocking stimulus plan, calls move ‘irresponsible and unwise’

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Edmund DeMarche, Bradford Betz | Fox News


https://i.imgur.com/0brHsLHl.jpg

Senate Democrats late Sunday blocked the $1.3 trillion economic rescue package Republicans say would help businesses and families hurt financially by the coronavirus outbreak, prompting U.S. stock futures to fall 5 percent and sparking a new wave of uncertainty that the two sides can get together and forge an agreement.

Democrats insist that President Trump and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are using the funds to put corporations ahead of families. The attempt to advance the legislation stalled in a 47-47 vote. Sixty votes were needed to pass.

Many Americans are facing unforeseen hardships after the coronavirus outbreak hit the country and temporarily closed businesses. The stimulus was championed by Trump, who said Saturday that the package was very close to being a done deal.

McConnell blasted his Democrat colleagues and accused them of being influenced by Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"I want everybody to fully understand if we aren't able to act tomorrow, it will be because of our colleagues on the other side continuing to dicker when the country expects us to come together and address the problem," McConnell said on the floor.

Democrats risk being portrayed by Trump as politically bent on stopping him at any cost. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the move by Democrats is "irresponsible and unwise."

"They are playing with fire," she said, according to the New York Times.

McConnell’s office said early Monday that three votes are expected later Monday after his remarks at around noon.
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The Sunday vote came while at least five GOP senators were in self-quarantine, including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who became the first U.S. senator to announce he tested positive for the virus.

Many Democrats complained that the draft aid package did not go far enough to provide health care and unemployment aid for Americans, and failed to put restraints on a proposed $500 billion "slush fund" for corporations. They said the ban on corporate stock buy-backs are weak and the limits on executive pay would last only two years.

"They’re trying to advance a proposal that would be great for giant corporations and leave everyone else behind," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Democrats also pushed for add-ons including food security aid, small business loans and other measures for workers — saying the three months of unemployment insurance offered under the draft plan was insufficient.

Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said the draft package "significantly cut back our hospitals, our cities, our states, our medical workers and so many others needed in this crisis."

Pelosi, D-Calif., urged colleagues to "take responsibility" as Democrats prepared their own draft. The House had just returned from a weeklong recess.

After the bill failed to move forward, McConnell tore into Democrats, accusing them of backing out of a bipartisan agreement once Pelosi and Schumer intervened. He claimed Pelosi took "a week off" and "poured cold water on the whole process."

"She's the Speaker of the House, not the Speaker of the Senate," McConnell said, according to Politico. "We were doing just fine until that intervention."

Schumer was in touch with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin late into the night Sunday to negotiate the plans. Their last meeting was at 11: 45 p.m. inside Schumer’s officer in the Capitol.

We’re closer now than we were in the past 48 hours to an agreement, Schumer said. “Can we overcome the remaining disagreements in the next 24 hours? Yes. We can and should.”

Earlier, Mnuchin told “Fox News Sunday” that he was looking forward to wrapping up the package on Sunday.

He said that the government will provide direct deposits, with an average family of four receiving approximately $3,000, as well as “enhanced unemployment insurance” for those laid off due to the outbreak.

The fourth part, Mnuchin said, is “a significant package working with the federal reserve, which will provide “up to $4 trillion of liquidity that we can use to support the economy.”

“The U.S. economy is strong. We’ve stopped major parts of it, but when we get through this virus, as I’ve said, I think you’re gonna see the U.S. economy come back to the strength, we have great companies, we have great workers," he said. "What we need to do is have a bridge to get through this. And this isn’t the financial crisis that’s gonna go on for years.”

Fox News' Ronn Blitzer and the Associated Press contributed to this report

[DemonGeminiX]

:|

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Democrats are so blinded by TDS that they can't see the forest for the trees. They don't want any money to help float/help businesses? :-s The fucking government is the entire reason these businesses are closed. And these businesses are the ones that employ all these people now out of work. So, while a fucking bailout in any form sucks, do we just want to let all these businesses go completely out of business and leave all these people "temporarily" unemployed with no prospects except being dependent on government? Of course that's what the D's want, a whole new group of people that are COMPLETELY dependent on the government to survive.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

They need to work something out quick

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Edmund DeMarche | Fox News


Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters early Tuesday that he expects Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to come together and reach an agreement on the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that set off a fierce debate on the Senate floor and allegations from both sides that the other was politicizing the emergency.

Despite the logjam, Schumer, the Senate minority leader, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters that there was progress made in late-night negotiations. Schumer said he expects a vote sometime on Tuesday.

One of the key issues in the package is the $500 billion "Exchange Stabilization Fund." Democrats call it a "slush fund," and claim Mnuchin would have far too much influence over which industries would have access to the fund.

Mnuchin denied the claim on Fox Business, saying, "It's not a slush fund; it's a mechanism that we can use working with the Federal Reserve that will provide another $4 trillion of potential liquidity into the market. That’s on top of the Fed’s balance sheet."

A Politico reporter, citing three sources, tweeted that Mnuchin agreed to "significant oversight" for the fund in part of the negotiations.

President Trump claimed Monday that the Senate Democrats were “playing partisan politics” and should make the deal.

“I think we've made a lot of progress, Mnuchin told reporters. "Both sides have been working around the clock."

He said there are a few documents that need to be reviewed and turned around but he is hopeful they will be resolved Tuesday.

Schumer also s struck an optimistic tone.

“We expect to have an agreement tomorrow morning. There’s still a few little differences. Neither of us think they’re in any way going to get in the way of a final agreement,” he said.

At around the time Schumer and Mnuchin were leaving the Capitol, Trump re-tweeted a National Review article about last-minute "ideological demands" from Democrats that were added to the relief package. The report said these demands included the expansion of wind and solar tax credits and increased fuel emissions standards for airlines.

Trump tweeted, “This will never be approved by me or any other Republican!”

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Joseph A. Wulfsohn | Fox News


House Democrats are being criticized on Monday for allotting expenses in their proposal of an emergency stimulus bill that has nothing to do with the coronavirus outbreak, including $35 million meant for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

Following the Senate Democrats derailing the pursuit of a bipartisan-drafted stimulus bill, the House led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered their own version of a bill meant to save the economy as the pandemic has pummelled the stock market. However, buried inside the over 1,100-page emergency proposal is money meant to upkeep a popular destination at the country's capital.

"For an additional amount for 'Operations and Maintenance,' $35,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021, for operations and maintenance requirements related to the consequenees of coronavirus: Provided, That notwithstanding the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 76th et seq., funds provided in this Act shall be made available to cover operating expenses required to ensure the continuity of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and its affiliates, including for employee compensation and benefits, grants, contracts, payments for rent or utilities, fees for artists or performers, information technology and other administrative expenses," the bill reads.
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The next page of the bill indicates that $300 million would be allotted for the National Endowment of the Arts and an additional $300 million for the National Endowment of the Humanities. The bill also provides $100 million for NASA and $278 million for the IRS.

Such expenses, particularly the $35 million for the performing arts center, raised eyebrows on social media.

"$35 Mil for the Kennedy Center is essential for battling the Coronavirus, says Nancy Pelosi," the Federalist publisher Ben Domenech reacted.
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Several GOP lawmakers pointed to Pelosi's alleged involvement amid talks of a Senate emergency bill as responsible for the bill's derailment by Senate Democrats.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Andrew Stiles - Washington Free Beacon


https://i.imgur.com/bConOZs.jpg

The word "diversity" appears 32 times in the coronavirus relief bill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) unveiled on Monday. Pelosi released her plan as critics questioned the priorities of Democratic lawmakers facing the China-caused pandemic.

Senate Democrats voted Sunday to block a coronavirus stimulus package worth up to $1.8 trillion, and continued voting down procedural motions on the bill Monday. Democrats in the upper chamber were reportedly upset that the legislation does not do enough to increase fuel-emissions standards for the airline industry or to provide additional tax credits to promote wind and solar energy.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Senate negotiations over the relief package were going well until Pelosi imposed herself on the process. Democratic obstruction gave the House speaker time to introduce her own coronavirus relief package in the House. At more than 1,100 pages, the "Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act" is in keeping with the controversial comments Majority Whip James Clyburn (D., S.C.) reportedly made on a conference call with Democratic lawmakers last week. "This is a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision," said Clyburn, in reference to the drafting of the House Democratic response bill.

The Pelosi bill focuses on "diversity," for example, more than one might expect from an emergency economic relief package. The plan includes a section on "Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity" that aims to "ensure that corporate boards reflect the diversity and perspectives of the communities and consumers impacted by the hardships due to the coronavirus disease." The word "inclusion" appears 14 times in the text of the bill.

One section of the House Democratic bill, titled "Diversity Report," would establish a congressional oversight panel requiring any corporation that receives federal aid related to coronavirus to provide "diversity data" to congress. The panel would publish a report on its findings the following year.

The required data would include demographic information about the corporation's employees and board members in terms of "race, gender, and ethnic identity." The panel would also demand demographics data on the corporation's suppliers, service providers, consultants, and the various financial institutions utilized by the company.

The "Diversity Report" section also requires companies to compare the salaries of employees based on gender and race and furnish information on the "number of staff and budget dedicated to diversity and inclusion initiatives."

Furthermore, the House bill states that all corporations receiving federal aid "must maintain officials and budget dedicated to diversity and inclusion initiatives for no less than 5 years after disbursement of funds."

The House, meanwhile, is not even in session right now. It would not be able to cast votes on the legislation in the coming days, so any bipartisan deal on a stimulus package is almost certain to be hammered out in the Senate.

Pelosi's decision to inject herself into the conversation had even the talking heads on MSNBC asking, "What was the point of that?" and warning that Democrats risk "overreaching" by demanding left-wing policy items that are "not a part of the coronavirus crisis."
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[DemonGeminiX]

I'd be seriously pissed off but I was expecting this. She's a fucking retard.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Diversity is important when people can't buy food or pay their rent/mortgage :nono:

[Hikari Kisugi]

https://i.imgur.com/KkmLAlw.jpg

Something to do with who could access the money, and it wasn't going to be the people? Just large corps?
Or did this include his cheques to everyone?

[DemonGeminiX]

Diversity is important when people can't buy food or pay their rent/mortgage :nono:

That woman's fucking insane.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Something to do with who could access the money, and it wasn't going to be the people? Just large corps?
Or did this include his cheques to everyone?

It's split between individuals as well as companies.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

https://i.imgur.com/zaV3Nusl.jpg

[lost in melb.]

Well, they've had their say. It wouldn't surprise me if the Trump bailout favored stuff that he likes. I don't expect for a second that any of these media artcles acurately portray anything..

[Pony]

It's split between individuals as well as companies.

And the left is trying to portray that the "corporations" that are included are all multi billion dollar companies that don't need the money. My impression was that it was aimed at the individual AND small to medium businesses that can't survive a shutdown.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

And the left is trying to portray that the "corporations" that are included are all multi billion dollar companies that don't need the money. My impression was that it was aimed at the individual AND small to medium businesses that can't survive a shutdown.

:winner:

Exactly. The D's want you to believe that ExxonMobil and Amazon and Microsoft are the ones that are going to get the money, when they won't and never were going to.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

Senate Democrats voted Sunday to block a coronavirus stimulus package worth up to $1.8 trillion, and continued voting down procedural motions on the bill Monday. Democrats in the upper chamber were reportedly upset that the legislation does not do enough to increase fuel-emissions standards for the airline industry or to provide additional tax credits to promote wind and solar energy.



Always worried about the important issues while the economy tanks

[Teh One Who Knocks]

https://i.imgur.com/WmgtF9kl.jpg

[DemonGeminiX]

https://i.imgur.com/WmgtF9kl.jpg

:|

[PorkChopSandwiches]

never waste a good crisis

[DemonGeminiX]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUtHwp_lm98

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Ryan Saavedra - The Daily Wire


https://i.imgur.com/ge3tFeol.jpg

White House and Senate leaders reportedly struck a deal during the early morning hours on Wednesday over a $2 trillion stimulus bill to combat the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak.

“The White House and Senate leaders struck a major deal early Wednesday morning over a $2-trillion package to provide a jolt to an economy struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic, capping days of marathon negotiations that produced the far-reaching measure,” CNN reported.
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The Washington Post reported:


The agreement capped five straight days of intensive negotiations that occasionally descended into partisan warfare as the nation’s economy reeled from the deadly pandemic, with schools and businesses closed, mass layoffs slamming the workforce, and tens of thousands falling ill.

The legislation, unprecedented in its size and scope, aims to flood the economy with capital by sending $1,200 checks to many Americans, creating a $367 billion loan program for small businesses, and setting up a $500 billion fund for industries, cities and states.

Other provisions include a massive boost to unemployment insurance, $150 billion for state and local stimulus funds and $130 billion for hospitals, among numerous other provisions.

CNN’s Manu Raju tweeted that White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland said after leaving Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office at 1 a.m.: “Ladies and gentleman, we are done. We have a deal.”

“Much of the work on bill text has been completed,” Ueland continued. “And I’m hopeful that over the next few hours we’ll finish what’s left and be able to circulate it early in the morning.”
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White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said during a press conference on Tuesday that the multi-phase stimulus spending bill would total $6 trillion and would be the largest spending bill in history.

“This package will be the single largest main street assistance program in the history of the United States,” Kudlow said. “The single largest main street assistance program in the history of the United States.”

“This legislation is urgently needed to bolster the economy, provide cash injections and liquidity and stabilize financial markets to get us through a difficult period, a difficult and challenging period in the economy facing us right now but also to position us for what I think can be an economic rebound later this year,” Kudlow continued. “Phase two delivered the sick leave for individuals, hourly workers, families and so forth. Phase three, a significant package for small businesses, loan guarantees will be included. We’re going to take out expenses and lost revenues.”

“The total package here comes to roughly $6 trillion: $2 trillion direct assistance, roughly $4 trillion in federal reserve lending power,” Kudlow added. “Again, it will be the largest main street financial package in the history of the United States.”

The stock market exploded late on Tuesday amid reports that Congress was getting to close to getting a deal done, which comes after Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi allegedly ruined a chance for a deal on Sunday.

“So at a time when the country is crying out for bipartisanship and cooperation — and we saw that over the last 48 hours when regular members of Senate, not in the leadership office, not in the speaker’s office for goodness sakes, she’s the Speaker of the House, not the speaker of the Senate. We don’t have one,” McConnell said on Sunday in a swipe at Pelosi. “We were doing just fine until that intervention.”

[DemonGeminiX]

So how much do you wanna bet that she fucks it up again?

[Griffin]

That ole nag doesn't deserve to be put out to pasture, she needs to go straight to the glue factory.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

So how much do you wanna bet that she fucks it up again?

Oh I would almost guarantee that she will hold it up in the House.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Emily Zanotti - The Daily Wire


https://i.imgur.com/wqrYXIGl.jpg

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to Twitter Wednesday to chastize the Senate for a proposed plan to recess immediately after voting to pass a massive, $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, but privately, CNN reports, the Democratic socialist threatened to hold up coronavirus relief herself by forcing her House colleagues to return to Washington, D.C., to vote on the measure in person.

“The Senate might ADJOURN FOR A MONTH after this bill?” Ocasio-Cortez whined on social media, after discovering, from CNN, that the Senate plans to adjourn after passing coronavirus relief Wednesday. “This is completely dangerous and unacceptable. We HAVE to be able to respond to people’s needs. People don’t have this time. Even IF the Senate can even return on the 20th (big IF) that may not be enough time to solve May.”

But Ocasio-Cortez’s complaint does not necesssarily stem from her concern for her fellow man. Like other members of the progressive “Squad” — Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) — Ocasio-Cortez does not support the bipartisan relief package, which she says gives too much power and money to corporations. Instead, she and others are behind a 1,400-page House bill, which pairs elements of the Senate legislation with elements of the Green New Deal, massive handouts to labor unions, a $30,000-per-person student loan bailout, and dramatic changes to the American electoral process.

In fact, Ocasio-Cortez and Omar have said the House bill doesn’t go far enough. Omar participated in an online townhall hosted by Democratic socialists Wednesday night, designed to marshal support behind a “just stimulus.”

If the Senate leaves after passing their bill, Ocasio-Cortez’s chances of forcing Democrats and Republicans back to the bargaining table over the House bill all but vanish.

In the House, Ocasio-Cortez seems poised to take similar measure to delay any relief package if it does not include certain additional items, CNN reports, and has warned that she will force her House colleagues to vote on the coronavirus relief package in person, even if it means defying Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “social distancing” guidelines, putting older Members of Congress at risk.

“The New York Democrat has expressed her frustration with reports of the stimulus deal, suggesting it’s too tilted towards corporations. The deal was reached between senators from both parties — including the senior Democratic senator from her state, Chuck Schumer, and the White House,” CNN reported Wednesday. “Ocasio-Cortez told CNN she is not ruling out asking for a recorded vote, which would force lawmakers to return to Washington and vote in-person, something that most members of Congress are eager to avoid amid the coronavirus pandemic.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who has not scheduled the Senate package for a vote and will not commit to bringing the bipartisan legislation to the floor, did tell colleagues, in a phone call Wednesday afternoon that, when the bill does make its way to the House, that she’d prefer a unanimous voice vote. Any member who decides not to participate in that voice vote could — as Ocasio-Cortez seems to be planning — force the dreaded, in-person roll call vote.

The move could “delay final passage” of the bill “for days,” according to CNN.

Ocasio-Cortez has not released a list of demands, but based on her social media missives, it seems she’ll push for things like an en masse release of prisoners, a complete moratorium on evictions and foreclosures that includes rent relief, and a student loan bailout, just to begin. Her colleagues have even gone so far as to propose a “radical takeover” of private health care.

The House returns to session on Thursday at 11am EST.

[RBP]

Wow. What a moron.

[DemonGeminiX]

I can't say what I'd really like to say regarding Miss AOC. The Secret Service would be knocking on my door in 10 minutes.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Ronn Blitzer | Fox News


https://i.imgur.com/o5s276Kl.jpg

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., does not share the enthusiasm Democratic leaders showed toward the coronavirus stimulus bill that the Senate passed this week after extensive negotiations, claiming that the provision that will send money to individuals does not go far enough.

According to the bill, nonresident aliens are not eligible for the payments, which are generally $1,200 for those who file taxes as individuals and $2,400 for those who file jointly.

"To clarify, $1200 checks are ONLY going to some w/social sec numbers, NOT immigrants w/ tax IDs (ITINs)," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "Thanks to GOP, these checks will be cut off the backs of *taxpaying immigrants,* who get nothing. Many are essential workers who pay more taxes than Amazon. Wall St gets $4T[.]"
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An Individual Tax Identification Number (ITINs) is, as the IRS describes, "a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number." This includes illegal immigrants.

Despite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praising Senate Democrats for using their "leverage" to obtain the party's goals with the bill, Ocasio-Cortez blamed Republicans and the Trump administration for holding those in need "hostage" to secure benefits for corporations.

"What Trump + Senate GOP have done is hold hospitals, working people, and the vulnerable hostage so they could get in $500 billion (that will be leveraged into $4T) in corporate welfare," she said. "Without the Wall St giveaway, GOP refuses to fund hospitals & unemployment. It’s inhumane."

Ocasio-Cortez's former chief of staff Saikat Chakrabarti, joined Republicans by taking a shot at Pelosi during negotiations over the bill after it came out that she wanted legislation to include language calling for new emissions standards for airlines.

Chakrabarti called Pelosi's idea "ridiculous," arguing now is not the time for token environmental provisions and that she should "Solve the problem at hand."

[DemonGeminiX]

Fuck illegals. When they become citizens, get issued legitimate social security numbers, and start paying taxes from earned income, then they can get money, vote, and all that. Until then, fuck them and fuck you too AOC.

[RBP]

Are these cunts going to show up?

[Pony]

Are these cunts going to show up?

Half will show up, plop down a list of extreme demands, the Right will understandably get confrontational and the Left will march out until Monday, blaming the Right for not wanting to work with them.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

The House passed it today and the president just signed it into law a little bit ago.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Peter Aitken | Fox News


https://i.imgur.com/IZv6vsnl.jpg

A company in Austin, Texas is looking to dock pay from workers who receive government stimulus checks, according to an anonymous employee.

With the historic $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus deal signed, Americans can look forward to receiving some economic relief during the pandemic.

An unnamed company in Texas, though, appears to be looking to use the stimulus to relieve their payroll strain.

On Wednesday, the company sent out a form titled “Employee Acknowledgement of ‘Government Assistance’ Pay Reduction.”

The form was reported by an employee who wished to remain anonymous, but the employee spoke to local news KXAN about the situation.

“The form says they are preemptively deducting funds from our paychecks. That number is based on what they’re anticipating the government relief fund to be,” the worker told the outlet.

“The company that I work for is a national company and they make hundreds of millions of dollars in profit a year and instead of making sacrifices at the higher levels, they’re passing it on down to everybody else.”

The form states that the company would take payment from the employee’s paycheck by 100 percent of any money received under the stimulus bill, a number they can accurately calculate since the stimulus money is scaled based on income.

Other companies may or may not also attempt to take advantage of the stimulus money.

On the blog AskAManager.org, another anonymous employee wrote in to ask if it is legal for her company to take the stimulus money from their paychecks. She states that she learned of the decision during a conference call.

She claimed her company is a national restaurant chain. The company she works for may or may not be the same as the one in Austin.

Unemployment has increased to over three million people, leaving many desperate for the relief that the stimulus bill will provide.

https://i.imgur.com/Utd4Y0C.png

[DemonGeminiX]

Which company(or companies)? They should be outed if this is real. There's no way that could be legal.

[Pony]

Wow, If that's real how could they possibly justify it? I'd do my best to make sure no one signs it.

Reminds me of when I went in for jury duty. The court pays you a minimum amount to cover lunches and parking per day. My company deducted the amount the court payed me from the minimum amount they were required to pay me.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

wow