Sanders announces opposition to $908 billion coronavirus relief package

[George II]

Source: Washington Post

Full Headline: Sanders announces opposition to $908 billion coronavirus relief package as lawmakers scramble for deal

By Jeff Stein, Mike DeBonis and Seung Min Kim
Dec. 4, 2020 at 2:44 p.m. EST

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday announced his opposition to the bipartisan coronavirus relief package gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate, as jockeying intensified among lawmakers eager to cut a deal to provide relief amid renewed signs of economic weakness.

Sanders said he would vote against the $908 billion relief framework that has attracted a flurry of interest from Democrats and Republicans since it was introduced earlier this week. Sanders said he would only consider backing it if it is “significantly” revised. That package, broadly embraced this week by both senior congressional Democrats and more than a half-dozen Republican Senators, leaves out some priorities among liberals such as another round of $1,200 stimulus payments.

Led by Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Susan Collins (R-Maine), among others centrist lawmakers, the legislative push aims to break months of gridlock in Congress over providing a boost to an economy facing what could prove its most dire stretch of the pandemic.

“Given the enormous economic desperation facing working families in this country today, I will not be able to support the recently announced Manchin-Romney COVID proposal unless it is significantly improved,” Sanders said in a statement, citing the inclusion of a “liability shield” intended to insulate firms from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Sanders added of the absence of stimulus checks in the bill: “Tens of millions of Americans living in desperation today would receive absolutely no financial help from this proposal. That is not acceptable.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/12/04/bernie-sanders-stimulus-bill/

---

Sorry, this is a pay site.

[Lunabell]

1. Yeah, the bill is a boon for corporate interests.

Typical congressional giveaway to corporations, not people.

[LizBeth]

7. Says over 12 million people will be kicked off UI in a couple weeks and have no money coming in?

[Jay25]

26. That it is.

Tired of the everyday citizens getting screwed over, offered crumbs and being told to be grateful because at least they’re getting something. I guess the incentive for the common person isn’t that important to the majority of Congress and big business because except for the inconvenience of wearing masks now and again, their lives haven’t really been upended or effected.
They have stable income and great healthcare, courtesy of the screwed over common citizens.

[Bengus81]

34. Hell...there was never supposed to be a $1200 check in the first one...

Fucking Republicans wanted everyone to keep working no matter what and IF you decided to quit to keep from dying then that was your problem.

So here we are once again and same shit, different month and McConnell and Republicans tell people to go fuck themselves as they drag down about $4,000 per week.

[rickyhall]

38. I quit & got nothing because I quit. I had to retire early just to keep eating.

[CatMor]

2. I sure hope other Dems are going with Sanders.

[apnu]

4. Its a fine line, you know what the GOP will say.

The noise machine will be in full effect with loud nonsense about Democratic in-action and stonewalling if the Dems join Sanders and kill this.

[George II]

8. Yes, and refusing to support the bill will only feed that noise machine.

[CatMor]

13. Well I still hope they join him. ..

it stated senior congressional Democrats are backing it which means Schumer of NY. He's my senator so I have to reach his office to put in my opposition to it unless some provisions are added.

[BComplex]

22. This bill contains a get out of jail free card for ANY lawsuit against employers for unsafe

practices....and it doesn't really make it clear that it's merely covid-related lawsuits.

THANK YOU BERNIE!!!!!

[sandensea]

24. +1

The CEOcracy never lets a good crisis go to waste.

[Demsrule86]

106. You have to compromise. And allow me to point out there is no protection now. In fact many who

fear losing their jobs go to work sick...thus spreading the virus.

[George II]

44. Nobody knows what's in the bill yet, not even Nancy Pelosi (she said that in the article).

[DownriverDem]

64. Sadly

no stimulus money, but unemployment extension.

[Demsrule86]

65. It is temporary...and they already have get out of jail card...they have forced people to work...

for example the meat packers. Biden supports a bill.

[Withywindle]

135. Yeah, that liability clause is BAD

Bad bad bad. It actively encourages employers to act irresponsibly and force people to work in unsafe conditions. Huge blow against workplace safety AND safety of the general public. If it passes we're FUCKED. Kudos to Bernie for highlighting that. Most people don't pay close attention to the fine print in these bills, they just hear "stimulus package" and turn off their minds.

[HUAJIAO]

27. True. And my response is "Where is OUR noise machine?"

[LiberalLovinLug]

116. The Lincoln Project is busy in Georgia right now.

[HUAJIAO]

125. Right and they are great. BUT they are republicans doing that, for which I am grateful.

I wish we had as good communication/PR folks. We have so much to offer..
Not the least of which is THE TRUTH !

Lies told enough become false truths.

[LiberalLovinLug]

126. Yes, that was what I was trying to imply there

The Democrats need a whole new social media PR department. They'd be smart to appoint AOC to run it. And they have to embrace Twitter, unfortunately. But they have to fight fire with fire, and do it immediately before it has time to fester into more brains. Time and time again they react to fake smears with either silence or a belated tame release gone over with a fine tooth comb three times to make sure not to offend anyone's sensibilities. Republicans were already firing on all cylinders smearing Gore, then Kerry with propaganda catapulted relentlessly over their wall, and Democrats just scoffed and rolled their eyes, thinking that was enough to persuade people back to the truth.

Putin was way ahead of the game, and helped to instruct GOP operatives on how far they could go with just using the algorithms already in place by FB and YouTube. The old guard simply must let the new young progressive guard have more of the reigns. They need to trust them more. They were brought up in the social media age.

[DownriverDem]

37. With McConnell

in charge, what good would that do? repubs don't care. One day folks will get that who's in charge matters and both parties are not the same.

[Demsrule86]

63. I sure hope they don't...millions could starve...UI ends on 12/26/20

[comradebillyboy]

3. Of course he does. Nt

[montanacowboy]

5. Anything that has Manchin's OK

has to be very short of what is needed. NO liability shield for corporations. And if you aren't getting unemployment you get nothing. This is NOT a good bill.

[LizBeth]

9. Of course it is not good, Republicans want to hurt Democrats even if it is death/hardship of voters.

[Polybius]

12. We'll fix it next month

A half a loaf of bread is better than nothing.

[Voltaire2]

19. nothing is likely to change next month

unless georgia flips the senate it will be the same as now.

[Demsrule86]

66. And we will get noting at that point...you OK with Americans starving and freezing ?

[Demsrule86]

101. And if we don't win Georgia. The GOP will send no help. McConnell doesn't want a bill.

He is only doing it because of Georgia.

[Bengus81]

31. I seriously doubt there would be another. Turtle and Graham will claim everyone will be back at work

by March 1st or some other ridiculous time frame. There will never be another one after this one.

[LizBeth]

6. Wow. He gave me the finger. wow.... hm.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

10. Good.

[flamingdem]

11. Listen to Nancy and JOE

Get it done. People need unemployment extensions to survive. It's a start. Joe can bring in the 1200 stimulus later.

Bernie being pissy since he didn't get Secy Labor?

[Mme. Defarge]

14. Agreed.

[RobinA]

16. I'm Not A Joe Fan

but he does have a point. I have worked throughout and therefore do not have an ax to grind for the $1200, but for those who aren't working... On the other hand, unemployment is necessary and probably worth more than $1200 for those who need it. The liability exclusion 0 the a tough one for me. One the one hand it lets employers get away with anything they want. On the other hand, they didn't invent COVID and there is only so much they can do to control it.

[mpcamb]

33. Sanders' point about "liability shield" to insulate firms from coronavirus-related lawsuit is right.

All those meat packing industry workers who got Covid and died...? let the owners off the hook? Never.

[George II]

45. That's not necessarily in the bill, it hasn't even been released yet. Kind of premature....

....for someone to be against something that hasn't been released yet. Even Nancy Pelosi hasn't seen it yet.

[mpcamb]

71. I doubt there's no lack of info about what's being proposed and that's been a benchmark for R's.

It's where they start. Let business(BIG business) off the hook.
Fuck them for sacrificing their (largely immigrant) worker's lives!!

[ahoysrcsm]

91. That's weird...

I though legislation started in the House. Is there a good reason they haven't brought the 2.2 Trillion bill to the Senate floor...

[betsuni]

92. The House passed the 2.2 trillion bill.

October. Mitch McConnell stopped it in the senate. This is new. As everyone knows.

[George II]

94. Generally it does. The House passed their version of this bill months ago.

[ahoysrcsm]

128. Let's hope they strip away the bad with reconciliation.

That's the only way to support such a bad deal.

[DENVERPOPS]

36. Couldn't agree more Robin

McConnell and RepubliCONs are trying to further crash the economy and give Biden as hard as job as they can.

Then the will stand back and criticize every single thing the Dems do to try and recover the economy and solve the Covid Crisis.

If the RepubliCONs succeed in retaining control of the Senate, Then We are ALL Truly Fucked for the next bunch of decades, IF we can recover at alll...........

[George II]

17. Hmmm, I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

[NurseJackie]

21. Probably.

[George II]

15. This is interesting:

“Tens of millions of Americans living in desperation today would receive absolutely no financial help from this proposal. That is not acceptable.”

In other words, don't help the 12 million people who will lose their unemployment insurance checks in 3 weeks because it doesn't help everyone.

I guess it's a situation of all or nothing.

[NurseJackie]

20. More of the idiotic "all or nothing" philosophy.

I guess it's a situation of all or nothing.

More of the idiotic "all or nothing" philosophy. And empty plate is better than a slice of bread.

In other words, don't help the 12 million people who will lose their unemployment insurance checks in 3 weeks because it doesn't help everyone.

This type of posturing serves no good purpose. People are hurting.

When a politician doesn't have enough leverage or power to get his (or her) own way... I've observed that he (or she) simply does what's necessary to punish others, or to gum-up the process, or throw a spanner in the works. It's the equivalent of having a tantrum at the expense of others.

It's disappointing, to say the least. But, honestly... I can't say I'm surprised. This isn't the first time and it's probably not going to be the last. Maybe things will change after Joe takes the oath of office, but I'm not going to bet any money on it.

[George II]

46. Imagine if the Captain of the Titanic felt that way? "Sorry folks, we don't have enough lifeboats...

...for everyone, so we won't use any of them."

[NurseJackie]

51. Excellent analogy.

[EllieBC]

88. I'm sure those people who will thank Bernie for

making sure they stayed true to The Cause even if it meant they had to choose between groceries or rent or heat.

[Bleacher Creature]

18. I'm going to follow Biden and Pelosi on this one. NT

[peoli]

23. Dems came down from 3 trillion to 2 trillion and now to less than 1 trillion

Bernie is right to speak against not having a $1200 stimulus check which has been floated for nearly 6 months. It's absurd to exclude that in any relief package and excluding it is a win for Mitch Mcconnell.

[NurseJackie]

28. Is the idea to help people or to deny McConnell a "win" at everyone else's expense?

He's not going to get his way. What he's demanding to happen WILL NOT happen. Refusing to vote for SOME progress is better than protecting the status quo of NOTHING.

How does this make good sense? What good purpose is served by this?

[peoli]

110. He is the only Democrat I hear that hasn't lost his voice. The value is in the effort

[NurseJackie]

112. It helps nobody.

[LiberalLovinLug]

118. It helps to put focus on the inadequacies of the bill.

Sanders cannot stop it by himself. So its the least he can do, while other Senators sit on their hands and say nothing about stripping away rights to hold companies accountable like the one that bet on which employees would get COVID, and forced them to go to work sick. And stripping the benefit cheques which would help so many. Its always the most vulnerable that have to give way in order to make a deal with Moscow Mitch. That should be made clear and loud.

[NurseJackie]

121. This changes nothing and hurts many.

Better a half a loaf than nothing. Better a slice than nothing.

This is nothing to be proud of or for anyone to boast about.

Even a small amount of progress is still progress. When someone waits for perfection, they're likely to be waiting a very long time.

Who has that kind of time?

[man4allcats]

119. Agreed!

Thank you for speaking up. It appears too many Dems have lost their voices.

[George II]

29. So if we can't feed all 30 million or more people let's not bother feeding 12 million?

That's like opening a food bank with enough food to feed 100 people but 300 people show up in the morning. So we say, "we can't feed all of you so we won't feed any of you."

[peoli]

111. It's about having convictions

[NurseJackie]

113. LOL! That won't pay the rent or put gas in the car.

That kind of political showboating accomplishes nothing.

[George II]

114. I used this analogy elsewhere - like the Captain of the Titanic telling his passengers:

"We don't have enough lifeboats for everyone, so we're not going to use any of them."

[peoli]

120. That is hardly even close to being a parallel analogy. Nice try though

[George II]

122. It sure is - basically "if we can't save everybody now let's not save anyone now."

[peoli]

123. He's not the captain of the ship, he's one voice amongst many others

[peoli]

124. Also, REPUBLICANS blocked the 3 trillion. REPUBLICANS blocked the 2 trillion. Not Bernie Sanders.

[Blasphemer]

60. I agree. This isn't a favorable compromise... nt

[riversedge]

98. and this last 900 B+ still has that dangerous corporate liability shield in it. damn

[Hekate]

25. To a starving child, half a loaf is better than none. Meanwhile, Bernie ...

Bernie continues to preach the gospel of All or Nothing. Whatta guy.

[infullview]

30. Is it really all or nothing?

That's what the Republicans are doing - it's our way or the highway! I rarely agree in total with Bernie, but this time he has it right. If you take away liability for bad employers who failed to protect their workforce you've robbed legitimate suits for wrongful death against companies like Tyson!!!?

[George II]

41. But the point is this isn't the end of stimulus packages. There will be more as time goes by....

This is more of a temporary bill to get many people through the next few months until something more concrete can be worked out.

[Demsrule86]

107. You seem to believe that there is protection now there isn't. And with no help in the form of a

bill, desperate people will endure or sorts of risks to put food on the table. Also,many states have enacted tort reform, and you rarely win a lawsuit.

[infullview]

130. Not true

and smarter people than I have made this point.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/05/tucked-into-the-covid-19-stimulus-package-protection-for-corporations

[George II]

134. The legislation isn't final yet, it's still in negotiations. Senator Warner confirmed that....

....this morning.

Any details that Senators and Representatives are talking about are only doing so based on rumors and speculation.

[Demsrule86]

138. Mitch always want liability protection...if it is temporary that represents a compromise of sorts.

I don't think we will do better. And unless we win in Georgia, we will get nothing after the elections and will be blamed for the suffering.

[Demsrule86]

137. You can just give me a summary...have no desire to wade though their commercials.

People right now have no choice if they turn down work, they lose their jobs and are not eligible for UI...right now meat packers are forced to work. And limited liability is temporary. Send help or people will starve and or freeze to death. 1 in 8 families are going to bed hungry. One Mom posted that she puts her kids to be early so as to help them not suffer the hunger pangs too long... I don't give two fucks about limited liability which is temporary. Help the millions who will suffer horribly if we don't do anything. And make no mistake,we were blamed for the lack of stimulus before the election unfairly IMHO, and we will likely lose the house in 22 if we don't get a compromise now. We can add to it if we get the Georgia Senate seats . But I guarantee you there will be no help if we lose the Senate seats after the elections. So let's help those we can now.

[zipplewrath]

32. Pretty weak definition of "bipartisan"

Led by Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Susan Collins (R-Maine),

Pretty weak definition of bipartisan.

[Mr.Bill]

35. And Collins will probably

change her mind and vote against it.

[Tech]

39. I am not a fan of the plan and I habe zero trust of anyone who still claims to be a republican.

[marie999]

40. There has to be a stimulus package.

We are fortunate that we don't need the money. As far as helping the unemployed, McConnell, according to Economic Policy and written by Jeff Stein yesterday, circulated a proposal that would not give any money to the unemployed. We must help people now in case we don't take both those Senate seats. If we don't there won't be any stimulus package next year.

[George II]

42. No one knows for sure what's in the bill yet, so objecting to it already is premature....

As Pelosi said in that article:

“If there’s a vehicle and we can add this — once we see the text — that is what we will be doing.”

ONCE WE SEE THE TEXT! Even Pelosi hasn't seen the bill yet, so how does Sanders know?

[Cryptoad]

43. Way to get on that,,,

Unification Band Wagon ,,,, Bern

[yaesu]

47. I back Sen Sanders 100%, its a crap deal & our party knows it. nt

[George II]

50. We don't know that it's a crap deal, it hasn't been released yet. Even Pelosi hasn't seen it.

[Demsrule86]

67. I seriously don't know how Sander can sleep at night if he manages to deep six this bill.

People will be starving and tossed out their homes in winter. It is appalling. It is cruel to leave people to face this with no help at all. And I promise you, this would be blamed on us.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

48. Bernie is right on.

This is about protecting corporations, nothing more.

[George II]

49. Have you seen the bill?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

52. They have already admitted it doesn't include direct support payments.

You haven't seen it either but your distaste for Sanders is pretty well documented. I'll stand with Sanders, you do you.

[George II]

53. I will stand with our leaders in the Senate and the House.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

55. You do you.

I'll stand with the poor and out of work.

[George II]

56. How about the 12 million who are out of work and will get the unemployment checks cut off...

...the day after Christmas? You don't stand with them?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

57. I am one of them.

Thank you for your concern. Again you do you. If it's a political win that makes you feel better, I suppose that's good for you? But don't pretend like you actually care about my situation.

[Demsrule86]

69. Do you get UI? You won't after 12/26

[Demsrule86]

108. And any bill passed after the fact will not include you. Once you are off unemployment you are

no longer eligible.

[Demsrule86]

102. You do no support the poor, if you oppose sending help. It is winter in many places.

Have you seen the food lines? Some don't get food after waiting hours in line. People will be thrown out to starve and freeze to death. Due to Covid there are fewer shelters this year. We are Democrats, we send help when it is needed. As for the liability. It is already non-existent.

This is an imperfect bill, but we must act. The suffering Americans should not be viewed as collateral damage. This is the perfect time to reiterate the old saying, 'don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good'. We need to send help- to do otherwise is a death sentence for God knows how many Americans.

[LanternWaste]

100. Right. Sanders' way or the highway.

From which no tolerance is given to even the mere discussion of compromise to begin the conversation.

I myself, being without insight or cleverness, am unable to see how that particular intransigence of his assists those out of work, but I imagine the rationalization of such will be forthcoming soon.

[Demsrule86]

68. No he is not. Millions will starve and lose their homes. We must send help.

Get the best deal we can and then do it. People should not be collateral damage.

[myohmy2]

54. thank you Bernie...

"...citing the inclusion of a “liability shield” intended to insulate firms from coronavirus-related lawsuits."

...they shouldn't be allowed to kill us with COVID and then get away with it scot-free...all they truly fear is the loss of wealth...they know no other restraint...

...and no stimulus for the masses will just encourage more business/corporate greed and shenanigans...

...making a deal with those Republican devils is not the way to go right now...can't we wait and see how Georgia turns out and then do it right?

...anything the turtle supports makes me apprehensive...

[ForgoTheConsequence]

58. "anything the turtle supports makes me apprehensive"

This. +1

[George II]

73. Thank you for what?

[myohmy2]

75. what frustrates me...

...is when we gain power we end up kissing republican ass...when pukes gain power, they fuck ours...

...I thank Bernie for not playing the insider game and doing what I think is right for us...

...I thank Bernie for realizing the importance of taking it to the people and end-running the republicans when necessary...

...I thank Bernie for not compromising when compromising will ultimately punishes us...

...focus, focus on Georgia...we need Georgia at all cost...we can't win Georgia by singing kumbaya...


...does anyone truly believe the pukes are going to lock arms and sing kumbaya with us?

...not me...

[George II]

82. Well then, I ask again.....thank you for what?

[myohmy2]

84. hasn't...

...mcconnell been sitting on a relief package Pelosi and Schumer wanted for months?

...why is the turtle now onboard?

...something's changed and I'll bet it ain't good...

...irregardless of who's on top, I've noticed over the years that the pukes have an uncanny ability to get more out of us than we ever get out of them...could this be the case?

...again, I'm thanking Bernie for being cautious and skeptical knowing full well that if we had the Senate a more generous, beneficial and encompassing relief packaged would get passed...

...going for a long drink 2 times to the money-well within a few months is not going to happen...

...we've got one chance to get it right...

[MrsCoffee]

96. So you want them to sit on it for another forty five days so people can hope for "perfect"?

Thats what happens if we do what Bernie wants. That’s not getting it right.

People need help NOW. We can make it better after Joe takes office. But fucking around now means millions will become homeless and people will starve.

Just because Bernie said it, some people will fawn all over it. But he is seriously myopic. McConnell will not give him what he wants and he knows it. People are suffering.

[betsuni]

83. What does "taking it to the people" mean? Democrats aren't in power. Compromise is politics.

Bernie's a politician, said: "Well, look, sometimes in a large bill you have to vote for things you don't like."

AOC said she's open to voting for a package because "Something is better than nothing ... ." This isn't the final package, of course there are concerns about the bad things in it, it's bipartisan. Bernie is an insider and can try to influence his Republican colleagues to support a stimulus check. Mitch McConnell has the power. It's politics.

[myohmy2]

86. we'll see...

...let's look back in 6 months and see who's made out and who hasn't...

...I'll bet the 1% gain mightily while we and the economy continue to sink and suffer...

...it's politics, 1% controlled politics...

[betsuni]

87. "1% controlled politics" -- Democrats are controlled by the 1%?

Why, when they are pushing for stimulus checks, extended unemployment and other benefits for the American people? Republicans want to protect companies from liabilities, not Democrats. That's not "we'll see" -- we can see it now.

[myohmy2]

89. are...

...there no 1%ers in the Democratic Party?

"...protect companies from liabilities..."

...that's why Bernie's balking...

...small bites at the apple with minimal improvement in people's lives we then get to hear endlessly about budget deficits, balancing the budget and SS/Medicare breaking the bank...

...how many times have we seen this movie?

...

[betsuni]

90. McConnell compromised on the liability thing, it's temporary and the language vague.

Republicans whine about budget deficits, balancing the budget and SS/Medicare breaking the bank, not Democrats. "Both sides" doesn't work. The 1% wanting Republican policies wouldn't bother trying to bribe Democrats or whatever the "both sides" thing is.

"minimal improvement in people's lives" -- as AOC said, "Something is better than nothing."

[George II]

97. Yes, there are 1%ers in the Democratic Party and/or the House and Senate....

....including the subject of this discussion.

You're going to have a hard time finding many members of Congress in either house who aren't millionaires or soon-to-be-millionaires.

Even Ro Khanna, the 15th richest member of either house (and Sanders' ex-co-campaign chairman), came out yesterday in an interview supporting this bill as a first step.

[Skittles]

59. zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[IsItJustMe]

61. From what I have read

Bailout for airlines and you can't sue if your employer causes you to get COVID because of their reckless and dangerous job requirements. The Dems are so hard up for any deal, they will take this shit sandwich. The one thing I have learnt in life is that there is never a deal you can't walk away from. This boys and girls is one of them. Hurray for Sanders for having a pair. It is what it is, and it isn't good.

[Demsrule86]

70. I hope you are prepared to watch people die because that is what will happen.

And two years from now, we likely lose the house.

[IsItJustMe]

117. Have you read what is in this bill?

Most of it is corporate bail out for large air lines. The other part of it is a bail out or so called small businesses. The last bail out for so called small businesses was a give away which much of it went to businesses that were well off. T****'s businesses got over 3 million dollars from it alone. It includes little to no real relief to common people. To put it simply, this is a bad bill that is not going to really help the people that need it. I don't see how passing a bad bill is going to help the Dems in two years from now. I just simply see it differently than you do.

[Mr.Bill]

62. I have mixed feelings about it.

If we take the Senate, then Biden can sign another bill after he's sworn in. If we dont, this is the last dime you will see from the Senate for Covid relief.

[Demsrule86]

72. And nothing will happen after this if we don't get the Senate.

[question everything]

74. Sure, he is not facing eviction. He does know where his next meal will come

This is what happens when Congress if full of millionaires. Of both parties.

[Hotler]

76. We're already hurting, might as well wait and see if we take the senate then,

tell the repugs to suck it and pass a much, much better bill.

[Demsrule86]

103. We can add to this bill if we win the Senate. And that is a big 'if' by the way. However, if

we don't, the next bill if there is one, and I wouldn't count on it, will be much worse. Seriously, I consider this response heartless...does it not move you with the idea that many- including kids- could starve and free to death? This is a national emergency.

[betsuni]

77. When "broadly embraced" by both parties means only six Republicans.

You'd think if this was only a corporate give-away, all Republicans would support it. Maybe they don't like that the liability thing is vague and temporary, and unemployment is extended.

Why anyone blames Democrats, the minority party, instead of: companies who exploit their employees; Mitch McConnell's obstruction, who has said he wouldn't do anything about this for months; right-wing media that keeps their audience more ignorant about what's going on than people who pay no attention to politics; Republican voters; both-sides people who refuse to research anything, etc. -- I don't know.

[Cheezoholic]

78. There is one important point everyone is missing

I've been harping on this for 3 months. If nothing gets passed before the 26th those 12 million (that number is and will go up) that fall off of UI will NOT be eligible for anything that gets passed after that. It will take a complete separate revision of the UI law to rescue them after the fact plus the states trying to go back and re-instate them? Won't happen. Once you fall off of UI that's it. Plus, as others have said we're not even sure if the liability protections will be in this. But if they are, and worded the same as what Ditch originally threw out there a couple of months ago it won't leave companies immune. From what I read from the original, and I could be wrong, the liability protection doesn't make companies immune from local, state or federal lawsuits or criminal prosecution under current law. It only prevents individual civil suits when a company has been found to have not violated a law in the first place. It's not carte blanch protection for companies to do what they want. There is currently no law in place for covid safety in the workplace at the federal level other than existing OSHA laws, only guidelines. State and local governments can create or have created their own laws when it comes to their jurisdictions. There are ways around this "liability protection" when Biden takes office. There is no way around 12-14 million people getting screwed over a partisan fight. It sucks, I hate it. I can't stand to give the ReFacist party an inch. 12 - 14 million individuals dropped into oblivion. Guaranteed there's 2-4 others dependent on those individuals which makes it 20 to 30 million. Numbers not seen since the depression all at once. And it will end up costing jobs of those that are still working. It sucks but the Dems need to be smart about it and flank these assholes while still keeping people afloat. They have no choice.

[George II]

79. Very well put, thanks.

[LizBeth]

80. This is a well thought out and written post. Thank you. Maybe you ought to educate Sanders.

[betsuni]

81. Thank you!

[olegramps]

93. Thanks for the information. That is why I come to this board. This is representative of Democracy.

[Demsrule86]

104. Good point. In many cases it could be a death sentence to the 12 million who would be affected.

I question the humanity of standing against sending help to those in desperate need.

[CaptainTruth]

85. One thing I cannot support is the "COVID liability shield" for employers.

I'm a building contractor, specializing in residential remodeling. I've lost count of how many hours I've spent learning OSHA regulations. Bottom line, per OSHA, if I expose any of my employees to hazards in the course of their required work (like asbestos insulation or lead paint or etc) I'm legally obligated to supply them with PPE to mitigate the hazard. If I don't, I can be held liable for their injuries. This is a decades-old established precedent & every year hundreds (or thousands?) of companies are found in violation & fined.. This even applies to things like safety ropes for roofers, handrails for workers on scaffolding, & things like side wall bracing for workers in trenches, which is dependent on soil type & depth.

I carry two large plastic bins full of safety equipment, like SAS respirators with N95 filters & organic vapor cartridges (I also have more sophisticated chemical filter cartridges because there have been a couple times when we've been exposed to arsenic vapors), ear muffs, goggles, gloves, kneepads, & EMT-quality first aid kits. All because current law requires me, as an employer, to supply my employees with PPE to mitigate workplace hazards.

To date, from what I've seen, that has been an absolute, no "buts" & no exceptions.

COVID is a workplace hazard. If that becomes the first exception, what is next? Asbestos? Lead? EVERYTHING?

Can you see why corporate-friendly "conservatives" are dying to get this "COVID exception" passed? It's the first step to eliminating ALL worker protections.

Bookmark this post.

[Demsrule86]

105. It is temporary. The bill is a compromise.

[robbedvoter]

95. You and Mc Connell. Next!

It’s how we got De Joy at USPS. Burnie vetted a batch of Obama imperfect candidates.

[George II]

99. This is 2020, not 2008, and Sanders wasn't in a position to "vet" any of Obama's candidates.

[Demsrule86]

109. He put a hold on them and then we lost the Senate is my understanding.

[George II]

115. Thanks. I don't remember that but, if someone who "caucuses" with the Democrats...

....put a hold on Obama appointees, that's simply wrong and shouldn't have been allowed!

[LiberalLovinLug]

127. Thanks George K& R!

You never fail to post the latest from Senator Bernie Sanders efforts to fight the good fight. You make sure I don't miss anything. Sanders, going against the fray once again, not worrying about being roasted by conservatives, D or R, on social media. Not just following orders. Speaking truth to power once again. When he is gone America will be missing a huge advocate. Go Bernie Go!

[Demonaut]

129. I love Bernie but he's more a hindrance than a asset

[onetexan]

132. Ditto!! Seems Bernie's still trying to hog the limelight.

[George II]

133. Senator Mark Warner confirmed this morning on CNN that Sanders isn't involved in the negotiations...

....and his "characterization" of the bill "is just not accurate".

Link to tweet

[George II]

131. Dem. Senator Mark Warner on CNN's "SOTU" re: this bill: "Senator Sanders, respectfully....

Last edited Sun Dec 6, 2020, 02:46 PM - Edit history (3)

....is not involved in these negotiations and his characterization is just not accurate."

Link to tweet

[betsuni]

136. Sigh.

Then why did Sanders say ... oh never mind.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

139. and the way they write headlines will convince those who only read headlines

that Bernie is some kind of obstructionist. The D's can't allow another pork laden bill to get through. It's gotta help the AVERAGE American. I don't get why Congress won't work from this perspective..............

[betsuni]

140. "The D's allow another pork laden bill to get through."

Allow? What does that mean? Republicans are the majority party in the senate, why blame Democrats for being in the minority?

"I don't get why Congress won't work from this perspective" From WHAT perspective?

This is Democratic Underground. We know how government works.

And saying you will not be able to support the proposal is saying you will will not vote for it.

[LudwigPastorius]

141. We need another stimulus check.

Thousands of contract laborers got no unemployment benefits at all. (I got a grand total of $1500...to last me for 8 months.)

So, extending unemployment is good, but it does nothing to help gig workers whose jobs disappeared, and those jobs aren't coming back until a critical number of the population is vaccinated.

McConnell and the rest of the Senate GOP millionaires can go fuck themselves.