In what may be a preview of how to accomplish forward legislation in the incoming Biden/Harris Administration, a bipartisan group of problem solving United States Senators have released the framework of a proposed $908 billion dollar COVID 19 relief measure.
The Senators directly involved in these bipartisan discussions are:
- Senator Susan Collins.
- Senator Maggie Hassan.
- Senator Lisa Murkowski.
- Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
- Senator Michael Bennet
- Senator Bill Cassidy.
- Senator Chris Coons.
- Senator Angus King.
- Senator Joe Manchin.
- Senator Rob Portman.
- Senator Mitt Romney.
- Senator Mark Warner.
Senator Dick Durbin has also taken part in these discussions but not as directly.
The proposed appropriations would include:
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From Axios[/caption]If passed, this legislation would provide an additional $300 in weekly unemployment insurance for people in need.
It also would have a temporary moratorium on COVID 19 liability lawsuits.
There would be no $1200.00 direct payments to taxpayers like those provided last spring.
Is this a perfect bill?
No.
People should get more unemployment assistance. Direct Payments should be included. More monies should be given to state and local governments. Bad Businesses should not be given liability protection for bad acts.
Is this a bill that contains all the items in the progressive holiday wish list?
No.
Is more money needed to provide relief to the people and small businesses?
Yes.
Will this move the country forward and help people until the Biden/Harris Administration comes in?
Yes.
Right now, with COVID 19 surging, unemployment rising, small businesses closing, and the country's economy on the brink, it may be better to take this legislation as an installment to get the nation through the winter than do nothing at all.
Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House had a $1.5 billion COVID 19 relief proposal that went nowhere mostly because Mitch McConnell did not want to consider it in the Senate.
If Democrats can be repeatedly mature enough to come down off their original price tag on the Heroes Act, then Republican leadership in the Senate can do so this one time for the good of the country.
This may be the model going forward to secure forward legislation for the country with House and Senate Problem Solving Caucus Members designing compromise legislation in the center of the political spectrum to gain passage.
With margins in both the House and Senate close, this may be the new political normal and that might not be bad for the country.
Pass the Bipartisan Senate Proposal now and come back for more when the new Biden/Harris Administration takes office and, hopefully, a new Democratically-controlled Senate is in charge.
Help the people and small businesses.
Save the country.
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